Today’s scripture: Romans 8:26-27 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Vivian Wyatt):
I have had some interesting experiences throughout my prayer life; experiences that are a mystery to me, at least until I bounce them against this passage. Shortly after I returned to my parents’ home in Virginia to live, I returned to the church. I was on fire for God and did not think there was anything that I could not “lay before the throne.” Also, I had not gotten a job, at that time, so money was tight. Maybe it was fervency coupled with need that made me lay hands on my cat.
I remember Fred (an orange tabby whose brother was named Barney) was sluggish…sort of just lying around, not wanting to go outside, not wanting to eat. So I picked him up and laid him on my desk. I intended to pray for a restoration of his appetite and energy. Instead, I prayed that he would be patient with me; that he would trust that whatever I did was for his own good; and that he would be healed. I remember thinking at the time, “that was odd,” as I didn’t have plans to do anything with him.
As I continued to rub him, I noticed an egg size lump on his back. As I touched it, Fred would meow but he did not move. As I pulled the fur, so I could get a better look for a bite of some sort, a roughly two inch square patch lifted off, like sod, revealing a terrible raw infected area with two puncture wounds. I sat back, stunned; that I could simply lift this patch off his back and that he was allowing me to deal with something that I knew was painful.
With my only medical know-how being Neosporin and a bandage, I began searching through the medicine cabinet and came up with peroxide and cotton swabs. I dipped the swab in the peroxide and wiped away most of the infection. I then poured peroxide over the wound and as it was bubbling, I was amazed that Fred allowed me to do it. He never moved and only let out a meow occasionally. And the best thing is, he was healed and very quickly; within days. Never went to the vet, never re-infected just getting better every day.
I don’t have these experiences often, but when I do I thank God for the Holy Spirit who will pray through me, even for my cat.
Thought for the day: When difficulties come, we may not always know what we need to pray for, but the Holy Spirit does. All we need to do is pray as best we can.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.