Good Morning All,
Isaiah 21:12; “The watchman
says: “Morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire,
inquire; come
back again.”
Miss Stella, as she was known to
everyone, had resided in the nursing home for over 25 years. She moved in shortly after her husband had
passed away. She had already outlived
all of her siblings, her husband’s siblings, and two of her children. She had outlived all of those who were in her
confirmation class and most of her contemporaries. For many people in her situation, they would
question their pastor as to why God was leaving them here; did he forget
me? Why won’t he take me home? I have been alone long enough. But not Miss Stella; she was on the other end
of the spectrum.
Whenever her pastor or anyone would visit,
she would tell them, “God can’t take me yet; I still have too many people to
pray for” and pray she did. She prayed
for dozens of people every day. Many
were the same but a few changed depending on the situation of their life. She prayed for her children, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren. She prayed for
her pastor and those in her nursing facility who were ill or having a difficult
time and those on her church prayer list.
One thing anybody who knew Miss Stella; at some point in time, she
prayed for you. Most of her family and
friends found that one simple fact very comforting.
In her own way, Miss Stella was a
watchman. Watchman were essential in the
times of the Old Testament as they would look out from the city towers and look
for trouble coming from far off. They
would also watch out for the people of the city telling them what was coming
and helping them make decisions about travel or trade. Scriptures, especially Isaiah, has the
watchman praying for the people. Even
though Miss Stella was frail and at times had a difficult time holding a fork;
her hands were always strong enough to fold in prayer. She knew that God was listening so day in and
day out she prayed for the people on her list asking God to come into their
lives and assure them of his healing touch.
Somewhere in your life, you have a
watchman. Someone is praying for
you. It may be a grandparent or parent,
a spouse or just a friend but somewhere you have a watchman. This is such a comforting fact that I hope it
moves you to become a watchman for someone else. Look around you and seek out those who you
can pray for. It is not hard; there are
so many to choose from. Yet commit
yourself to pray for people that you know.
It can be your pastor or your church officers, it can be your
grandchildren or your neighbors, it can be those kids down the street that
never seem to have enough. No matter how
weak our hands may ever be; they are always strong enough to pray.
Father, lead me to pray for
my family and friends. Lead me to be a
watchman. Guide my intercessions that I
may commit to praying for the welfare of these people. Guide me that I may see the wonderful
opportunity that I have to pray for those around me. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.
God’s
Peace,
Pastor
Bret
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