The vibrant colors on the stained glass cascaded beautifully by the morning sunlight onto the pews. I sat in solitude for a few minutes before the door opened with another lady walking in to chat with Jesus. When I saw her face, she had such concern and desperation written all over her. I leaned my head onto the pew in front of me, as the lady quietly took a seat a few rows behind me, and I whispered a prayer to God for her…
Yesterday, May 6th, was America’s National Day of Prayer. I posted on instagram and Facebook the question, “How can I pray for you?…Even if you just ‘like’ this photo…consider yourself prayed up.” No words needed to be shared, just a click to show me your name.
There were a few who acknowledged the posting, and a couple of young moms asked for specific prayer. At the end of the day I would see who I needed to pray for, and then again this morning, I called out each name to Jesus. When I verbalized each name, I would think about how I knew each person and smiled. There were some folks that I didn’t know, but that made no difference in me lifting them up to my Heavenly Father. When this chic says she will pray for you…I’m on it.
We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say. He listens to us every time we ask him. So we know that he gives us whatever we ask from him. 1 John 5:14-15 ERV
During my morning beach walk, I met new people and had sweet brief conversations, smiled and said “Good morning” to strangers, and soaked in the lyrics to some new and familiar worship songs. The sea breeze was refreshing. Surfers were taking advantage of some nice waves. Young families were arriving early before the Florida heat pounded down on their skin. Some folks were making choice decisions on seashells, while others chose to be good caretakers of our earth and pick up trashed that was washed ashore or left behind for beachgoers. The daily turtle-watch walkers were familiar with me joyfully (and with much perspiration LOL) walking by, and informed me of a new nesting area around the point. With each, well almost every, face I would say a brief prayer.
After walking around the point of the island to see the new turtle nesting sight, I decided to not go my normal way back home, yet take my feet to the island roads. This new path led me to walk past one of the churches on Anna Maria Island. The Roser Memorial Community Church had a sign outside saying “open for prayer”. I thought, 
“Perfect! It is National Day of Prayer. I’m going in.” So I walked into the 1913 built stone building. The vibrant colors on the stained glass cascaded beautifully by the morning sunlight onto the pews. I sat in solitude for a few minutes before the door opened with another lady walking in to chat with Jesus. When I saw her face, she had such concern and desperation written all over her. I leaned my head onto the pew in front of me, as the lady quietly took a seat a few rows behind me, and I whispered a prayer to God for her.
The prayer inside the church was a sweet time of rejuvenating for me physically and spiritually. My walk had a little more oomph to it, as I walked down the sidewalk. Noticing new life to businesses on Pine Avenue, I made note of shops to visit later that day once they were open.
My conversations with God continued throughout the day as names and faces would come to mind. Then, later in the evening, I felt so blessed and grateful for what I saw on the news. Franklin Graham was being interviewed on Fox News Primetime. The anchorman said to Mr. Graham, “We are a flawed nation, like every. We are all sinful human beings in need of God’s redemption. Would you be willing to offer up a brief word of prayer for us tonight on the program?” He replied with a smile, “Absolutely”. Rev. Franklin Graham immediately bowed his head, closed his eyes, and began praying. The anchorman, Pete Hegseth, respectfully bowed his head and closed his eyes as well, and nodded in agreement to the reverend’s words. I sat in my chair with tears in my eyes and so proud of Fox News for publicly doing this act of Prayer on television. This was a beautiful way to end and solidify National Day of Prayer 2021.
It is my prayer that you will have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not about religion, it is all about a relationship. Chat with God daily, hourly, whenever you want. He is available 24/4, 365 days a year.
If you ever need a prayer warrior to take a request to Jesus, please feel free to contact me.
Always be full of joy.Never stop praying.Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
[email protected]
https://video.foxnews.com/v/6252999600001#sp=show-clips (This is the clip of Rev. Franklin Graham praying on Fox News Primetime.)
