"Pray without ceasing." ~ 1
Thessalonians 5:17
He stood at her bedside as he had
done for many of the last 12 days.
Complications from an emergency surgery had left Ruby in a medically
induced coma. Sedation made her comfortable;
machines kept her alive.
He’d visited many hospital patients in his ministerial role,
but Paul had never seen so many IV’s, tubes, and machines connected to one body
before. Digital readouts continuously flashed
and beeped, sending their secret status reports out into the heavens.
He bowed reverently, “Thy will be done Lord.” His visits had become almost routine: silent
meditation to quiet his anxiety, followed by reciting a few Bible passages, and
closing with a personal prayer for Ruby’s immediate and complete healing. Today he’d chosen Ephesians 6:10-18 in honor
of Ruby, a true “Prayer Warrior.”
Although the phrase “prayer warrior” isn’t found in
Scripture, prayer warriors are generally devout Christians who pray continually
and effectively for others.
That certainly described Ruby. When healthy, she led the church’s weekly
prayer group. And when friends faced
difficulties of any kind, Ruby would likely be the first one called to spiritual
“action.”
ICU’s are noisy places.
Just as Paul began, an alarm sounded.
Nurses rushed in, checked various monitors and determined that there was
no emergency. Maybe Ruby was just responding
favorably to Paul’s visit.
Ruby had a heart for God, a heart for prayer, a heart for people,
and a heart for Christ's church. At 75
and though she stood barely 5 feet tall, her piety was contagious. In the Sanctuary or cruising the Caribbean,
Ruby often beat the sun to dawn. She knew
that God answered every prayer according to His perfect will and in His flawless
timing.
Paul began again. “To be a warrior in prayer is to engage in
the spiritual battle and fight the (faith) fight wearing the full armor of God,
praying in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (Ephesians
6:10-18 - paraphrased).
Ruby lay motionless, eyes closed, seemingly unable to
interact with her environment.
But as Paul closed his Bible, Ruby’s eyes fluttered. Or did he just imagine that? Then her eyes opened wider, revealing piercing
blue eyes.
“Let me take a turn,” she uttered in a raspy yet assured
voice. “Heavenly Father, thank you for
hearing our prayers . . .” It was the most beautiful prayer Paul had ever
heard.
Difficult times only strengthened this woman. Having faced her own mortality, Ruby recommitted
herself to leading the unsaved to Christ. “I don’t believe in the power of prayer,” she
insisted. “I believe in the power of the
One to whom I pray.” Praising Him will always
be her #1 priority.
Lord Jesus, we know that prayer is essential
for us to confide and verbalize our struggles and praises to You, our one true
God. We need prayer more than anything when living in a place that is not home,
craving a “presence” that does not live here. Amen
