Who Are You Praying For?

Nov 15

She sat regally propped up with pillows, waiting for me. She knew it was rest time and I would soon appear. I opened the door slowly and peered around it, seeing her big smile and open arms. As fast as my four-year-old legs could cross a room, I crawled up into her bed, and felt her warm hug envelope me. I snuggled into her as she stroked my white-blond hair. We talked about things I thought were important, and she told me Bible stories. I shortly fell asleep with my head tucked into her side. Our soothing visits were full of love for me. As the days melted into weeks and then into months, her voice became weaker, and I could feel her bones as I cuddled up next to her. One day my parents forbid me from entering her room. Because I was precocious, they watched me closely. They knew how much I loved her and I would try to go into her room.

My parents sat me down to explain that my beautiful grandmother was very sick and would not get better. Tears flooded my eyes as I realized there would be no more snuggles, secrets to share, or Bible stories. I felt so lost. At my age, grandmothers were supposed to live forever. Regrettably, it wasn’t long before she succumbed to cancer.

Decades have passed since that time, and one day while praying, I asked the Lord who prayed for my salvation. Quickly the answer came with my grandmother’s name. I boldly asked “When?” and the word “Daily” became the answer. Tears drifted down my cheeks remembering all the fond memories of being with her. Even now as I write these words, tears streak my face. She loved the Lord. When I was with her, she never failed to mention Jesus or thank Him for the blessings He brought to her day. Her smile was joy-filled and radiant; kindness oozed from her; and I felt her unconditional love deep within me. I was too young to understand why she was this way, until I accepted Jesus and realized it was from her relationship with Him.

When my children and grandchildren were born, my husband and I followed the example of my grandmother. When they were younger, we often snuggled with them, talked about Jesus, and read them Bible stories. Before they closed their eyes at night, we prayed over them. When I look back at my old journals, the main theme was salvation for my children and grandchildren. I am so grateful that my entire family knows the Lord. I have been so blessed to see my prayers come to fruition.

Many of you are praying for those you love who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Let me encourage you, the Lord hears those prayers. He also longs for them to know Him in a personal way. It took me years to find Him, but those prayers remained in the heavenly realm. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16 NIV). His love, mercy, and grace extends to all. I am thankful He weeps with us as we weep for our unsaved loved ones and friends. I know “(God) desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge and recognition of the [divine] truth” (1 Timothy 2:4 AMP).

I am thankful my grandmother was an example in my life of the importance of prayer and thanksgiving. As she slipped into the arms of Jesus, she was confident that the Lord would answer her prayers for me. At one time, I prayed for two of my relatives to come to salvation, only to see things get worse. Yet, many years later they now are walking with the Lord. God answered my prayers. Don’t give up on your prayers even when much time has passed, and you think nothing is happening. We may never witness the answers to our prayers. But Scripture reminds us, “Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:2 NLT) and,“Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart” (Philippians 4:6 GNT).

Let’s pray:
Lord, I pray my loved ones _________________ come to know you in a personal way. Lord, please save them, and help me stay the course in prayer even when I think it’s not possible. Thank you for telling me, “Nothing is impossible with You.” I hold that promise in my heart and offer my prayers and gratitude to You. Thank You Lord. Amen.

Jan Grubbs

I’m a Bible teacher, author, and speaker, and I am passionate about connecting women to Jesus.

When I was growing up, my dad used to say, “Every day is a new day to Jan,” and it’s true. No matter what happened the day before, every day is new to me. Like you, I’ve had some great highs and some very difficult lows. In those hard times, Jesus always holds and comforts me.

If you would have told my mother I would become a writer, she would have gotten so tickled. She was a very particular English teacher, and everything I wrote made her want to pull her hair out! I was a “life is a bowl of cherries” kind of a girl. Fun, carefree, and the life of the party, I met my straight-laced, Baptist future husband at 18. We married at 20 and began going to church. I went through the motions, but I became a true believer at 24.

I love teaching women the Bible and seeing the light bulb come on. One time, I was preparing to speak to a group of women leaders, when I asked the Lord what to teach on. Immediately, He gave me the picture of us being the Bride of Christ. I am a hopeless romantic, so this spoke to my heart. I dove into studying Jesus as our Bridegroom, and it wooed me into a more intimate relationship with Him.

My husband always says I am full of surprises. No one is as surprised as we are that I’m writing, but Jesus isn’t surprised. He took my love for Him, my love for the Word, my love for women, and turned it into this ministry.

Each of us has hidden qualities that Jesus is waiting to bring out. As you linger here and enjoy my writing, I hope you come to understand Jesus as your Bridegroom and the depth of love He has for you.

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