“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20, NIV).

For three days during my 5 a.m. morning run, I felt the Lord nudging me to contact two dear physician colleagues with whom I had served in Albania. They had moved to Washington state. As I prayed for them the last few mornings, I felt the strong need to call them. It was too early at the time. My hectic days had erased the need, and I had not. This morning, as I had just arrived at work, I received a text from the husband of the two. “The Lord placed you in my dream last night. In my dream you were kind and you ministered to me. Just as in ‘real life.’ …. In my dream you were in the midst of a busy clinic, but you stopped long enough in my office to set down your things and minister to me. I imagine that dream may look a little like your day. May you feel His presence in the midst of your day, whatever that may hold.” I called him and prayed with him immediately. He asked me how he could pray for me. I said, “Just to help me be more faithful in my witness.” It was now 5 a.m. his time. At 10 a.m. this morning, I was able to pray openly with a patient while two medical students, seeking to learn medicine, leaned against the walls.

We can all imagine for ourselves the connection between thoughts, prayers and witness mentioned above.

Seeing though the lens of one who knows a purposeful and knowing God, I assume God wanted me to pray with my friend in Washington, and He would not take my procrastination as the final word. So, He had my friend call me instead. I assume God worked through that time of prayer to help my friend’s life, and I assume God’s presence in prayer worked in my life, that our time of prayer provided a boldness that is not mine, allowing me to pray openly with medical students who did not know Him, for a patient who needed God’s presence at that moment. All was the work of His Spirit, touching the lives of many with His power. I know not how far the ripple from that splash of God’s Spirit will carry in the world. I certainly was soaked as I watched His power manifested through community prayer.

I do hope that the next time God nudges me to call someone, or help someone, or speak the word of Christ, I will get to it immediately, and I will do so in community. I almost missed the blessing.

Dear God,
Let me be ready, listening and obedient next time, each time.
Amen