Deeper Lessons In Prayer March 19, 2019
By Freda Emmons
It is so easy to get caught up in the everyday routine of living that prayer seems to slide by like shale on a steep hillside. But then, in a moment, something confronts all the sensibilities of life and my world is turned topsy-turvy. One morning, an easy phone call blasted my comfortable season of carefully treating the common cold, resting, drinking hot tea, and just taking care of myself, into a billion bits – each of them screaming for resolution.
Good Samaritan Ministries is a work of the absolute grace and love of God. In the midst of doing that work, many Samaritans have suffered horrendous attacks, illnesses, and accidents. Willingly giving of our time, energy, and resources does not make us immune to the hardships of this world. Indeed, there is the intense realization that Satan attempts to de-rail everyone who steps out with the love of God in their hearts and therefore, their actions. When there is opposition to the work of the Samaritan, there is great blessings and breakthrough when we trust God to thwart the attack.
In this seemingly mundane phone call, I talked with Bethany Stroup, letting her know I could not go to the office to volunteer because of the cold. She said, “Oh, I understand. I’ve had some health issues myself.” When I pressed a bit, she opened up – and my composure exploded. She said that she is dealing with pressure in her brain and it is affecting her vision, giving her headaches, and could be quite serious. An MRI did not give as much detailed information to the doctors as is needed and a Spinal Tap is scheduled for early February. She is anticipating the doctor will give her medication, to ease the pressure within the brain. She was quite calm and matter-of-fact, as I was inwardly falling apart.
Often, it is when our world falls apart, in one way or another that we get to the end of ourselves, and fully acknowledge how much we need God in our lives and those whom we love. Prayer becomes our only place of refuge, for it is in that place of meeting with the God of creation, who loved us from even before creation, that hope can overrun the helplessness of the realities facing us. I could go nowhere else but to prayer. As it turned out, I was heading to the shower. The place and time doesn’t matter to the Spirit, or even what we are wearing or not wearing! My broken heart sought His love, grace, and solace to cover me, but especially, my friend, Bethany.
The first thought that came to mind was to release Bethany into the hands of the Lord, her whole body, every need there was. I processed that, affirming in prayer that it is only in Him we find healing and wholeness. Then, I had a hint of a word – release – and I began to soak in all that surrounded that word. I asked the Lord to release the pressure in her brain, to ease the discomfort, and diffuse any effects that pressure was having in her body. Then, I saw even more, that He was releasing her not only physically, but spiritually, and emotionally too. He was releasing Bethany to receive more grace, more effective ministry, and more joy. In just a few minutes with the Spirit, my heart was given sensitivity, insight, and a sense of the greater purpose for this dear woman of God.
As each of us are prompted to pray for Bethany, and for each other, as we endeavor to serve God and His people, in the love and grace of God, may He be with us and bless us deeply.
Freda experienced physical and sexual abuse. She was broken and confused for years. As a young woman, she sought counseling for 12 years. When she began to grow in her Christian faith, she realized the depth of healing in the words of the Bible. She then combined tiny steps of healing with those comforting Scriptures and wrote Flame of Healing: A Daily Journey of Healing from Abuse and Trauma, a devotional with a journal, for in-depth, personal healing. Flame of Healing is helping people in 6 countries to heal from deep emotional pain from abuse and trauma.
Freda is also an inspirational speaker, addressing issues of abuse and trauma with compassion. She is a wife of 39 years, mother of three adult children, grandmother of one, and a child of God.
Her second book, Resurrection Hope, is a Christian novel about Heaven, angels, and living in the Presence of God. Freda’s website is: www.fredaemmons.com.
