PRAY: Pink Ribbon Prayer
A few months ago, I started posting prayers on my Facebook page. Well, not exactly prayers, but prayer-thoughts or notices about prayers I was praying. I asked God to show me a particular need, prayed, then posted a brief summary on my blog (“Marti Pieper is praying for . . .:)
At first, I hesitated to do this. It’s too easy for prayer-publishing to become prayer-trumpeting. And if you’ve read my recent Disclaimer post, you know I’m far from a prayer expert. For those reasons, I kept my prayer-summaries short (one sentence) and simple (no explanations).
God has a way of shining His glory through small things. And that’s what He did with those prayer-thoughts. As time passed, more and more people responded, so I posted them more often. Some thanked me for my prayers. Others blessed me with their honesty as they admitted a need. Still others told me my words prompted prayers of their own. And some gave a “thumbs-up” of affirmation (who doesn’t need a thumbs-up every so often?).
Of course, I experienced the blessings of those prayers as well. God and I agreed: I wouldn’t post a prayer unless I’d first prayed it. And His grace kept me praying it throughout the day.
I don’t plan to stop my prayer-summaries anytime soon. But the response and His quiet voice have led me to move beyond the summary. So far, I’ve used the PRAY days of my blog to teach some things God’s taught me about prayer. I’ll still do that sometimes. But today and in others to come, I want to post an actual prayer. Please know I intend these only as one small way to speak to God, to direct others’ thoughts and prayers, and to allow Him to use my words as He desires.
Feel free to comment with a prayer need or other note. Thanks for reading, following, and especially for joining me in prayer.
Father, Thank You that you are a great God and a great King above all gods. Today I come to You to lift up those who are victims of breast cancer. The pink ribbons are precious, the publicity incredible, but the disease itself is horrible. I see the enemy’s hand every time I learn of another friend who’s received this vicious diagnosis.
Dear Jesus, be with those dear women (and men) today. No matter where they are in the cancer journey, their lives will never be the same. Thank You for the bodies You have fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank You for the medical expertise which has yielded this diagnosis. God, give these precious ones gratitude in the midst of their suffering and peace in the midst of their storms. For each painful moment, give them an overflowing measure of grace—with an extra portion of faith to cover their fears and hope to carry them step by step. Strengthen them for any therapies, surgeries, treatments, and drugs they must endure. Bring healing in a way that points straight to You. For those in remission, sustain their joy. Allow them to comfort others with the comfort You’ve given them.
Jesus, don’t let the enemy derive further glory from this disease. Use it instead to lift Your name high by bringing people closer to You. I surrender to You as I lift up my friends and others touched by breast cancer. Give them tokens of your love through those whose lives intersect theirs. Remind us to care for them when they have no strength, to pray for them when they have no words, and to love them in the ways You reveal. Keep them in Your name and direct their hearts—and ours—to fear and honor You alone.
In Your holy name I pray—AMEN.
I love this…and your praying heart. What a great reminder to me this day to keep on praying, not only for my own family’s needs in regard to cancer, but for others as well who are in the midst of a great battle for their lives. Praying with you today for those who are currently dealing with breast cancer in one way or another. In Jesus’ Name…Amen.
Thanks so much, Pam. You know I join you in your prayers for Matthew and others!
Sometimes, when I see your prayer posts, I wonder if you woke up thinking of me. I know I’m not the only one, especially when I read some of the comments left behind. And just now, I was thinking of my cousin (honorary uncle), who passed away last week because of throat cancer. Glad you’re not going to stop prayer posting, because it’s from God. So, post away!
Love, Angie
Angie, that’s exactly why I’ve decided to go ahead and post prayers. I had a real hesitation to do that (as I’ve explained) but since God seems to speak through the prayer-thoughts, I felt led to share the prayers behind them. How honored I am that He would use me in this way.
Praying and posting away (and lifting you up in the loss of your cousin, too).
Thank you Marti. You are a special instrument used by God. And thank you for the Paperdolls book review. I am anxious to get a copy.
Thank YOU for the kind comment. And you’ll love the book, I know!