Somebody Prayed for Me

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 38

Scripture Focus: Then they drew Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard. (Jeremiah 38.13)

Devotional Thought: When my wife led our choir in Bethel, Ohio, she taught us a wonderful song: Somebody Prayed for Me by Robert Sterling.  The words of the second verse and chorus still have a powerful impact on me: "When the future looked hopeless and I’d given up, when I had lost sight of my dreams, somebody near dried every tear.  Somebody prayed for me.  Somebody went to the throne of heaven. Somebody lifted my name, bringing me into His holy presence, saying what I could not say. Somebody showed me the face of His mercy, when darkness was all I could see.  Somebody pleaded the Blood of Jesus, Somebody prayed for me."

That song brings to mind a period in my life when I was at the bottom.  I didn't know how I would get through that time.  Later, I would find out from many people that they had been praying for me.  I thank God for those who interceded when "darkness was all I could see."

The prophet Jeremiah went through a time when darkness was all he could see.  He had been thrown into a muddy cistern and left to die.  But, Ebed-melech interceded for Jeremiah, rescuing him from death.  Ebed-melech's actions are a picture of intercessory prayer:

·       He cast aside differences of race and culture

·       He went before the king to plead Jeremiah's cause

·       He enlisted others to help him

·       He devised a strategy to lift Jeremiah from the darkness

·       He went to where the prophet was

·       He remained sensitive to the prophet's pain

Do you know of one who needs somebody to pray for them?  Will you be that somebody?

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for those who have prayed and are praying for me.  Open my eyes and heart that I may see those who need me to pray for them.  I dedicate myself to that holy calling.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119.81-88

81 My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.

82 My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me? ”

83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.

84 How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me?

85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law.

86 All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me!

87 They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.

88 In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.