Read: Acts 12:1-12
The Little Drummer Boy. That's one of the classic Christmas songs that I usually hear at least once each year. While I was thinking about what I wanted to write today, I looked up a bit about that song. I didn't know that Bob Seger was one of the many singers who have performed it. I listened, and it was good! I liked it better than the version I generally hear by the Harry Simeone Chorale.
The reason the song came to mind was the line about not having a gift to bring. Hasn't that happened to everyone? Either we can't find just the right thing or we have no clue what the right gift might be. Even if we're not looking for a present fit for a king. What gift is there that everyone needs? One we can all afford to give? One that the recipient won't have to stand in a long line to return? It is prayer. Yes, that's the most precious gift we can give even though as I type this, truth demands that I confess that I often forget that. That's why before we look at a prayer idea, let's remind ourselves of a time when prayer was offered, and how in answer to those prayers, God caused something amazing to happened.
In Acts 12:1-12, we read about an incident in Peter's life. Jesus had returned to heaven, Acts 1:9, and Peter had truly become the fisher of men that Jesus had told him he would be, Luke 5:4-11. Herod Agrippa I was the king of Judea, and he was ruthless like Herod the Great who ruled at the time of Jesus birth. He had James killed, and Peter thrown into prison. He planned to have him killed too. However, in Acts 12:5, we read that the church sprang into action. They earnestly prayed for Peter. Acts 12:6-12 is the powerful and also a bit humorous account of Peter's release from prison. An angel shone a light and struck Peter on the side. Quite different than the wake-up call given to Elijah where the angel woke him with warm bread and water. Of course, Elijah needed strength renewal and rest. Peter needed to get out of Dodge. At any rate, Peter at first, thought he was merely seeing a vision. Even when chains fell off and gates swung open without any human help. Then the light came on for Peter. He was free! An amazing gift given to him. God answered the prayers of the church in a miraculous way.
At this point, it is easy to think of the times when the door didn't miraculously swing open in answer to heartfelt prayers. The times a loved one wasn't healed. Times we all have experienced. Times of hurt or disappointment, but wait. If God is big enough to miraculously free Peter, isn't it possible that wondrous things happen when we pray even though we presently don't see them? Things our Good Shepherd is doing to pave the way through the pain we simply can't comprehend? Answers to prayer that are, as of yet, not revealed to us?
Back to an idea about prayer that has been rolling around in my mind. Many of us have been part of a secret sister or secret Santa challenge. Each person who wants to participate draws a name and over a given number of months, little gifts are given to the person whose name was drawn. Usually, a little questionnaire is filled out ahead of time. Giving preferences for candy and other fun gift possibilities.
What about secret prayer friends? What if all who wanted to participate would put their names in in order to receive one person's prayers.
A family, group of people at a work place or even people who live in apartments in a complex or at an assisted living facility could do this. Yes, I know we can pray for an entire family, work place or church membership by name, and that is wonderful. Yet, wouldn't it be sweet to know that one particular person whose name you don't know is praying for you each day?
Here are just a few ideas of possible prayer starters. What about starting with the fruit of the Spirit and asking the Lord to grow that sweet fruit in the prayed for one? Or, what about praying for their love for the Lost to grow as Jesus makes them more and more like Him? Or how about praying for the Lord to either heal an infirmity or use that hard place as a platform for His love?
The prayer possibilities are endless. When there is a secret Santa or sister challenge, at the end of the time period, the participants get to know who has been gifting them.
Wouldn't it be encouraging to meet with your secret prayer partner and talk about what you have seen God do in answer to their prayers? In a family where frequent visits are not always possible, maybe this would bring a closeness and even teach children the joy of secret prayer and the beauty of learning what God did through their talking with Him on behalf of someone else.
Even if the times of sharing come not in person but through phone or computer, the bonding that might come through prayer might bring those involved closer to God and one another.
Can we imagine the joy of grandma discovering that her grandchild has prayed for her each morning? Or, it might be that that teen could be encouraged when he knows his grandpa he doesn't know well has been praying for him each day at noon. With alarms on phones and other devices, it is easier than it used to be to remember an appointment. Even a prayer appointment. Whether we become secret pray-ers or simply pray as the Lord leads each day, it is good to remember that we always have a gift to bring, and we don't even have to be certain that we have the appropriate sized gift bag.
Lord, Thank You for the gift of prayer. No doubt, we have escaped many traps and trials because of the prayers that have been prayed on our behalf. Each one is a gift from You.
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