For the past nine years, I’ve worked for a financial advisor during the day and pursued writing during my “free time.” But by the grace of God, that all changes on Monday. No longer will I have to split my time and attention between my day job and my dream job. Instead, I’ll be transitioning my position with Priority from an “on the side” role to an “all the time” role! Today is my last day in the finance industry.
This change is the result of many years and much prayer, so I couldn’t be more ecstatic about getting to work more closely with Laurie and the other fabulous ladies at Priority. However, as excited as I am about saying hello to this new opportunity, I was unprepared for how I’d feel about saying goodbye to my current position.
I became aware of my feelings when I called one of our clients a few weeks ago to set up one last appointment before I left. She and her husband became our clients just before her husband passed away last year, so we’ve grown close as she’s navigated her first year as a widow. I teared up when I told her my news, and she became emotional too. But then she did something I wasn’t expecting – she asked if she could pray for me.
Of course I said yes, so right there over the phone, my sweet client prayed for me. She prayed that my transition would be a smooth one. She prayed for me to be authentic and effective in my endeavors. She prayed that my coworkers would easily find someone to replace me in my current position. And she even prayed for my family.
I hung up the phone feeling spiritually higher than if I’d spent the whole day at a church conference. I felt truly blessed.
My client’s prayer reminded me of the importance of immediate prayer. We all know that we’re supposed to pray for our friends. When one is sick, we pray. When one is unemployed, we pray. When one is infertile, we pray. But how often do we pray right then? Immediately. Before we walk away. Before we forget. Before our friend even has a chance to express her need for prayer.
Ah, friends. That is powerful. The next time a friend tells you about a need in her life, don’t wait for her to ask you to pray for her. Take the initiative. Ask if you can pray for her right then and then do it!
So today, I ask you – how can I pray for you right now? Put your need in the comments, as brief or as detailed as you like, and let’s pray for each other right away.
I am trying to get organized so I can be more efficient at home and with all activities that we are involved in as a family. After dealing with various health issues over the past three years I feel way behind. I guess I just need prayer for continued heaing and to not get overwhelmed/discouraged on what I need to do.
Dear Lord, I lift up Kim to you today. Continue to bring her healing, and help her as she manages her family. In the times when she’s most overwhelmed, draw her closest to you. Amen.
Please pray for a change of heart in my daughter in law, that she will forgive me for a past wrong and allow me to be part of her life and my grandchildren’s, whom I haven’t seen in 5 years. That we can come together as a family again.
Dear Lord, Please be with this sweet grandmother and her family. I pray that you would restore the relationship between her and her daughter-in-law and allow them to enjoy forgiveness and second changes.
I’ve suffered from Chronic Dry Eye Syndrome for several years which has drastically limited my diet. Needless to say my energy level has not been at it’s peak. Well, very recently I’ve been experiencing symptoms of a stomach ulcer which has caused me to limit my food intake further. I’ve also had to deal with the closure of a business I worked for and more recently a permanent layoff . My good credit had always been important to me but due to our financial state has been destroyed. I’ve been looking for a part time job just to get by. I can’t even imagine trying to work full time with my low energy, stomach pain and eye issues. The eye problem had not been a major issue for a couple of months or so due to diet but I’ve tried to make some changes since the other symptoms came about. So, last night my eyes had a serious flare up. I know the Lord is in total control but the enemy still plays on a major weakness I have which is “ANXIETY” I know it’s sin but I’ve experienced this since childhood and although I was saved at 26 it never has gone totally away. I do have intermittent periods of “Joy” and “Peace” but depression seems to overtake me at times. To add fuel to the fire my marriage has had only rare moments of peace in almost 27 years. I’ve been totally drained emotionally. Sorry for running on:) and thank you for your prayer!
Lord, please be with Roxanne. I pray you would heal her medical issues and strengthen her body. Multiply her energy level and help her draw her strength from you. I pray for restoration in her marriage and for miracles in her finances. Above all, be with her in this valley. Amen.
Pray for my family ,our protection and to glorify God in all we do:)
Lord, be with Karen and her family. May they continue to live under your protection and may their lives glorify you!
Bless you Emily and my God’s grace follow you where ever you go. As for me, would you pray for me to lean on and trust Jesus more and more everyday so that my life can glorify Him.
Dear God, Thank you for Robin. I pray that you would help her lean on you and trust you in every single area of her life.
Thank you Emily for being to the need of praying for one another , in this selfish.world of me-ism ,i personally thought ,and believe that prayer is a gift from God ti us through his Holy Spirit A gift ,through salvation ,unfortunate ,not many do ,for what ever the reason ,I do love to pray at all time ,prayers change circumstances ,heal, draw people to God ,bring hope ,is all together powerful ,and I indeed I need prayer for my grandson Nolan 7 years old ,lost his hair ,doctors can tell why ,do to this other kids at school and church make fun of him ,it’s very painful to watch him suffer being single out through this
Lord, please be with Nolan. Give his doctors wisdom and help them to come to an accurate diagnosis of his medical situation. And, Lord, please protect his heart as he faces the unkindness of other kids. Help him, even now at an early age, find his worth and his purpose in you. Use this time to draw him closer to you and to teach him the lessons you desire for him to learn. In your holy name, Amen.
Thank you Emily for saying YES to God thru this ministry. You are truly a blessing and I pray that you have a strong sense of His presence and direction every step of the way.
Thank you, Roxanne!
Pray me Carol Hunt and my family and THE WHOLE WORLD that we become stronger and trust JESUS CHRIST
God bless Carol and her family. May they grow in you!
Please pray for breakthrough and clarity for me on ways I can help bring extra income into my home. I have submitted for jobs nothing has came through yet.
Lord, please be with Miranda as she searches for a way to increase her income. I pray you would not only provide the funds that she needs and the job that she needs, but that you would decrease her expenses as well. Provide her with a place where she can bless all those who she comes in contact with on a daily basis. Amen.
Emily,so excited to have you full time now with Priority Ministries.Each and every one of you Ladies has touched my heart in one way or another,through spiritual advice,a thought,a prayer. I have been so blessed by this ministry.You all have been with me through many up’s and down’s.I believe God will continue to expand this ministry. Rejoicing With You !
Thank you, Lily! Bless you!
My daughter Stefanie delivered twins yesterday 35 weeks today.. Eleanor was 4 14 and Benjamin was 4# 4 oz . She needs oxygen and his blood pressure is having to be maintained with meds. Stef had pre-eclampsia and very low platelets. her blood pressure is still high and she is still very swollen. Please pray for God to heal them all. We are so blessed by this wonderul ocassion and tusting God for everyone’sfuture.
Dear lord, thank you for Stephanie and her sweet little babies. I pray you would continue to strengthen them both and be with their mom as she recovers. I pray their entire family would be blessed in this time. Thank you for life, God! Amen.
My daughter Kristin Hendrickson Mitchell is due to have her baby. Due date 2/22. She is having a home birth with a mid-wife. Today is 3/2, so we’re getting a little anxious. Thanks for your prayers. I just prayed for you as well.
God bless,
Irene
Dear Lord, please be with Kristin and her sweet little baby. I pray her delivery would be soon, swift, and without complications. Help the midwife as she assists jn the birth. I pray for a safe and healthy child. Amen.
-Irene, keep us posted!
This is exactly the word I needed to hear about praying for others! I missed such an opportunity recently, and have been grieved about it since. I will not do the same again! I expect the power of God to empower me, and I will be sure to cry out to him on behff of anyone he puts in my path and gives me opportunity & privilege to do so! I appreciate your encouraging statements today!
I would very much appreciate prayers for my precious 14yo daughter, Amanda. She has struggled with depression & super-sensitive emotions & not believing she’s loved, especially by her dad (divorced). Last week she attempted suicide. She is ok physically & will be discharged today, but she is still very down & we have found no Christian options for counseling. Honestly, I’m scared, I’m so alone & inadequate. I’m just praying somehow that His love will penetrate through her severe pain. Thank you.
Dear Heavenly Father, I lift up Amanda to you Lord. Thank you for sparing her life. Thank you for creating her for a purpose. Thank you for giving her a second chance. I pray, God, that you would heal her spirit. Please show her how much you love her. Please show her how much you care. Help her to look to you alone for her worth and her image of herself. Please pull her into your light and into your word. Help her mom find a Christian counselor who can help them all through this time. Remind them that they are not alone. You are with them, and you want so much for them to cling to you in this time. Thank you for your love. Thank you for loving us unconditionally. And thank you for Amanda and her mother. Amen.
Please pray for my daughters 11 year old Shakiyah and 10 year old Keiani to be trained, favored and blessed with an anointing to be a good, wise, prudent, loving faithful and godly wives and mothers. Also for prosperity to be upon every member of our households. Please pray for the salvation and baptism of the Holy Ghost of their godly husbands.
Dear Lord, Please be with Shakiyah and Keiani. I pray that you would begin molding them into beautiful, godly young women so that in your time, they may be godly wives and mothers. Guide them to your will for their lives, and help them turn to you for their purpose. Amen.
Praying for you as you continue to transition from one ministry to another. I’d ask you to pray for our family in that same way. My husband’s calling is ministry, but after 25 years of ministry together, we found ourselves 3 years ago having to again seeking outside employment and he has been “tent-making” ever since. Financially GOD has supplied, through several part-time jobs, and then a full-time DAY SHIFT work, but he’s getting ragged and I feel like he is again digging an early grave, trying to juggle a MUST work 60+hrs in the factory a week, and trying to find time to spend with our family, and a teen-age son still at home…and look for and do ministry. We’ve invested so much time into a church we attend, but are feeling like all they want to do is take from us. God is beginning to shed some light on the possibility of a church plant, but at our ages, and with my limited health, I can’t work outside the home but won’t qualify for disability because I homeschooled our kids and was a pastor’s wife. My health has taken an even harder hit with my husband commuting and working in the factory so much.
It is a scary thing to continue to step out on the waters financially. Our children need prayers for schooling and finances, we have two juniors, 1 HS and 1 College, with both having to pay for it themselves through scholarships and part-time work. Both have a heart and feel a call into full-time ministries themselves, but KNOW the realities and sacrifices of what a LIFE and family devoted to ministry means. Neither want to be saddled with college, masters degrees and seminary debt, because they know it will drastically limit how they’ll be able to minister for at least several years after schooling is done. Pray that God continues to stretch our finances, and that HE would give me the creativity to find a way to help add income as well, so that we can again devote more time to ministering. It’s so hard to have a calling from GOD and not be able to RUN head on, but to have to WALK on the waters with HIM. It’s not a trust issue, for we have always been willing to jump out of the boat, and HE has, through the last 3 years MIRACULOUSLY kept us in our home – OUR FIRST that was purchased 3.5 yrs ago, and allowed us to spiritually invest in our children as they have taken major steps forward as they see GOD focusing the calls within their own lives.
MAY GOD increase our boundaries, as well as your own!
Dear Lord, I want to lift up Laura and her husband to you tonight. God, I pray that you would help them as they continue to follow your will in life and in ministry. I pray specifically for her husband’s job. Please pave the way for him to work less hours so that he can be home with his family and not be spread so thin. Please energize them both and give them discernment to know whether or not to pursue the church plant. I pray also that you would miraculously cut their expenses as well. And, be with their boys as they seek your will for their own lives. If your will for them is ministry too, please open those doors, both financial doors and doors of opportunity. Thank you for their willing hearts. Thank you for their desire to follow you. Thank you that they want to be good stewards of the time, talent, and treasure you have blessed them with. Be a lamp unto their paths. In your holy name, Amen.
~Blessings to you, Laura, and your family. I know how challenging “tent making” can be. Keep us posted on your journey! -Emily