"Pray-er"

He took off his hat,

Took a rag to his eyes,

Poured him some coffee,

Sat down, no surprise,

That his old bones were achin’,

And his joints showed some swell,

Today was a hot one,

And no one could tell,

When the clouds would give moisture,

Or the ground would be wet,

God’s folks had been prayin’,

But it hadn’t rained yet.

Lately he’d get porch-back,

In his old rockin’ chair,

Take down the Good Book,

From his saddle-bags there.

He’d pray through the Scriptures,

And often a tear,

Would stain the old pages,

As the Spirit drew near.

And he’d wait and he’d listen,

As the dark night came on,

And sometimes the whisper,

In his soul would get strong.

And the Lord would impress him,

To then intercede,

For this one or that one,

He’d show him their need.

And he never questioned,

If what he had prayed,

Made any difference,

Just that he obeyed.

But then on occasion,

Some one would stop in,

And tell him a story,

‘Bout their family or friend.

And how God had touched them,

Given miracle days,

And after they left him,

The old man would praise.

‘Cause he knew that the stories,

Told him deep in his heart,

That those times were answers,

And God let him be part.

Just an old grizzled cowboy,

Who knew how to pray,

Led by the Spirit,

Until his last day.

And you can still go there,

But it’s a long way,

To the porch and the rocker,

Where late in the day,

The Spirit would visit,

Out there off the grid,

And someone was willing,

To pray like he did.

And one thing is certain,

Of this I am sure,

No telling the healings,

And many’s the cure,

For those that he prayed for,

And the same so should we,

‘Cause God is a healer,

And always will be.

“But you, my dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit…” (Jude 1:20, NLT)

Praying in the power of the Holy Spirit means we are led and energized by the Spirit in our intercession for others. This becomes a catalyst for God’s miracle-working power, and we become a part of the Lord’s solution in people’s lives. Think of it! Our prayers can be used by God to bring about His will in their lives, and build them up spiritually just as this scripture says. What an honor, and what a responsibility as well.

Lord, direct us by Your Spirit as we pray, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tyler Crow, tylercrow.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Tyler, and God bless you.