“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy…It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart…” (Philippians 1:3-4 and 7b)
The other night some fellow students and friends of ours here in Albertville came over and we had a time of fellowship and prayer. One of our conversations was about what we find ourselves praying for the most as this can be a good reflection of what is most important to us. This was such a helpful conversation for me because I was able to reflect on how moving overseas has impacted my prayer life.
While I have known people living in other places than me throughout my life who I have labored for in prayer, I feel like recently God has been developing in me a deeper appreciation for interceding on the behalf of others. There are so many people back in Midland that I miss and long for deeply. So many that I want to just sit with over a cup of coffee to catch up, to laugh with, to share each others joys and burdens and to pray together.
Technology certainly allows a level of connecting with people around the world that is such a gift, but still, not the same as spending time physically together. There’s an additional difference when not living life together day to day in the same physical location, especially coming from a fairly small town like Midland. Between busy schedules, life circumstances, time differences and trying to navigate the ever-present tension of staying connected “back home” while also being present here, there is just realistically less time to meaningfully connect. We cherish all the memories of our time in Midland with the incredible community we have there. As such, I have felt the loss of those easy moments of fellowship, of the encouragement and challenging in small groups, during playdates, coffee dates or through chance run-ins around town. However, in those moments of grieving, or when different people come to mind I find I’m often drawn into prayer.
In the last several weeks it has been dawning on me how meaningful prayer is. I can’t be present for all of the things I used to be present for, I can’t spend the time I want to with many of people who mean the most to me, but I can have an impact on their lives in the deepest way possible; by lifting them up to the One who created all things and knows all things. The Lord loves them and knows their needs so much more than I do anyway, but in praying for others I feel a closeness to them and ability to care for them, even at such a vast distance. This power of prayer has always been present, and I know this, but the beauty of it has been so much more tangible since leaving. The verses in Philippians 1 about how Paul feels for the Philippian believers continually comes to mind as I think about and pray for so many dear friends and family around the world (and as I lift up believers in Christ around the world who I don’t even know!)
Likewise, I feel the impact of your prayers. We know there are so many who are laboring on our behalf through prayer and we are beyond grateful. What a gift it is to speak to our heavenly Father and be a part of each other’s lives in this way. Thank you and know that you are often prayed for as well, on this side of the world.
-Selina
