I have already told the story here about when I had my stroke and lost the ability to speak.  Actually, all I could do was stutter.  But as I rode to the hospital in that ambulance, I was praying in tongues.  I had no idea what was happening to me, but I knew that it was serious by the talk of the paramedics and the speed of the ambulance.  However, I knew that no matter how fast we were going, my prayers were going up to the Lord and He was with me, comforting me.  These prayers are not just meant to be for ourselves, though.  We are also to pray for others.  If the Lord brings someone to your mind, pray for them.  The Holy Spirit will tell you what to pray if you wait in silence before Him. It is absolutely imperative that you pray for others!  When they hurt, you are hurting also, although you may be only vaguely aware of the pain.

Unfortunately, I am not known for my graceful movements, so I have broken my right elbow twice.  The first time, I slipped on some gravel and fell and broke it.  The second time, I was walking on a wet hallway at school and slipped and fell and broke it.  My orthopedic surgeon told me that the reason I kept breaking my right elbow is because the natural tendency is to put out your hand to stop your fall…thus your elbow snaps and breaks.  After the second break and round of physical therapy, Dr. Fleming told me to always use my quad cane.  So, I carry cane with my everywhere. I introduce my cane to others, saying that “he makes me able.”  (Pun intended). Now, back to my point.  When my elbow was hurt, it affected my entire body.  I had difficulty doing simple tasks like washing and brushing my hair or even brushing my teeth.  And don’t get me started about how hard it was to teach and grade papers without the use of my dominant hand and arm!  The same thing applies to the Body of Christ.  When one part is hurting, it affects everyone else.  The body doesn’t work as well.  As the Body of Christ, we are a well-oiled machine, working together to speak the truth to a lost world.  Sometimes, however, one of us is hurting…physically, emotionally, spiritually.  So, we have to take time to pray for others.  As soon as the Lord brings someone to mind, pray for them.  If you don’t know what they need, remember that the Holy Spirit knows exactly what the need is, so pray in the Spirit.  Pray as if your life depended on it, because it may.  Part of your body is hurting and you need to do all that you can to bring comfort and/or healing to that part.  Listen to the voice of the Lord.  Be obedient and pray for others.