\”Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.\”
Mark 11:24 —NIV
Have you ever prayed for many days, months, or even years for help during a situation, troubled season, or circumstance, or praying for family or friends to find God?
Here\’s a story about a prayer that got answered in an unlikely way. It was a prayer from my Mom to God about me.
When I was in Social Work, there were many trainings I was required to attend. Some gave handouts with questionnaires to be filled out. I often encountered one of those questions, you know, the one that asks, \” who\’s your hero?\” Well, I always listed Jesus and my Mom.
Okay, I digress; back to the story. My Mom passed away 24 years ago. While going through her things in one of her drawers, I found zipped pouches. One of those pouches had burst at the seams and had little pieces of folded-up paper spilling out.
So, I took those little folded-up papers, and the other pouches sat down and began unfolding and reading. I felt both taken aback and surprised if I can even combine those two feelings.
My Mom Loved Jesus with all her heart, and she was a good and faithful servant. When I began reading, I realized these were prayer requests she had written. Some of them were for my dad, family, and close friends. She was praying for them in many different situations, circumstances, and health.
As I continued reading them, I found what had to be way over a hundred prayers; Most were written for me.
\”Lord, please help Paula in school,\” \” Jesus, please protect Paula,\” \”Jesus, may you guide Paula\’s friends,\” and \”Lord, may you please guide Paula.\”
Now, mind you, her prayers went clear back to my high school years. Out of all those prayers, The most I read were \”Jesus, I pray Paula comes to you.\” \” I pray Paula finds and comes to know you,\” \”I pray Paula follows you.\” There were more for me, but you get the gist here….
At the time, I was a lukewarm Christian. I believed in Jesus and asked him to be my Lord and Saviour. But I still didn\’t\” follow\” Him. I was wrapped up in worldly things and material gain. I was one of those people who had to have what others had.
I prayed every day. But, boy, oh boy, did I ever make a lot of wrong turns. Oh, I could feel Jesus tugging at me, but I ignored him.
It wasn\’t until many years later that I realized I could not do life on my own because every time I tried, I failed. So I surrendered to God, stopped my nonsense, began reading his word daily, and, you guessed it, I followed him. I asked him to come into my heart and proclaimed Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.
\”I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.\”
Psalm 40:1 —NLT
Sharing this month with
Inspire Me Monday & the other Inspire Me Monday #MondayMusings #TellHisStory InstaEncouragements Let\’s Have Coffee #AnythingGoesLinky Thankful Thursday Imparting Grace Grace & Truth Your The Star Encouraging Hearts & Home Hearth & Soul You\’re The Star Sweet Tea & Friends Grammy\’s Grid #PoCoLo
How sweet that your mom prayed for you all those years!
What a heartwarming story about those prayers your mother prayed for you. Thank you for sharing your personal testimony, Paula.
Blessings,
Pam
What a double blessing – to have a mom who prays like that – and to find her prayer words for you as an inheritance/heritage! Thank you for the encouragement you give so many other mothers by sharing your story!
A mom’s answered prayer-PTL, Paula!
Praise God.
I love this, Paula. It brought tears to my eyes as I read how your mom prayed with such devotion for you. What a wonderful blessing!
Thank you Penny. She was such a blessing.
Praise the Lord for godly mothers (and all the others) who continually lift up their loved ones before the throne of grace. What an example of faithfulness and persistence in prayer!
Visiting from Let’s Have Coffee #22
Praise the Lord indeed. Even though I strayed in my yong adult years my mom modeled good and faithful servant hood for me growing up .
What a sweet gift and surprise to find those prayer requests and to know God honored her prayers!
It sure was Amy. It’s when I realized that God may answer prayers even if we’re not here to see them.
You had a great gift of family love which helped guide you on your developing relationship with God. Beautiful post
I sure did indeed. Thank you.
Oh praise God for our mothers, biological and spiritual, who nurtured us with prayer along the way. I recently was told that now I’M the matriarch in the family. What a huge responsibility … and a joy … to hold those next generations up to the Lord. I’m hoping and trusting I can be faithful in this call in this season.
Only Jesus.
What an honor indeed. I believe in you friend. I’m certain you will be faithful in his call in this season.
How inspiring, enjoyed reading this so much!! Seems we mothers and grandmothers do this more often than people realize. Thanks so much for linking up at the Unlimited Link Party 82. Shared.
Thanks so much Dee.
Paula – this is precious! What a gift that you found these sweet prayers from your mom. I have prayed many similar prayers for my adult children (and continue to do so) and I am encouraged to remember that God hears each and every one of those prayers. Thanks for sharing your testimony!
You’re most welcome Jen.
What a beautiful testimony to your Mom, Paula! And an encouragement to me, as I pray for two wayward children, God does hear and answer prayer!!!
Thank you Donna, I too am praying for my disengaged oldest daughter too. Yes He certainly does answer prayers. I’m okay with his wait now.
I loved reading this. I am the product of a faithfully praying mom and I hope I am passing that on for my children now.
I’m so blessed to hear this Lauren.
What a gereat post ….I can only imagine what it was like to find these prayers of your Mother…And that her prayers for you came to be….Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Deb
Thank you so much Debbie. I also enjoy visiting at your place.
What a beautiful testimony of a mother’s love, of the power of prayer, and Jesus faithfulness to pursue His wandering lamb.
Beautiful grace!
Amen indeed.
Wow! What an amazing feeling you must have gotten when you read all the prayer requests of your mother for you. This is beautiful, Paula. May we continue to be as vigilant praying for our own daughters.
It sure was an amazing feeling. I can still remember and feel it. Yes, may we continue to be as vigilant in praying for our own daughters indeed, my friend.
This story feeds my hope for loved ones among our family and friends who are not in relationship with Jesus! Thank you, Paula!
You’re so welcome, Nancy.
How lovely to have found something so personal of your mother after all these years. Thank you for linking with #pocolo hope to see you back again soon.
Thank you so much for reading. I’m looking forward to visiting often.
CONGRATS Paula! Your post is FEATURED at the Unlimited Link Party 83!
I love looking back on all God has done! Much like the “Footprints” poem, I’m so grateful for the times He’s carried me!