Friday Fight 243: The Story of Miguel: A Prayer Priority
Every Friday morning, during my quiet time with the Lord, He faithfully places something on my heart that speaks to the subtle, internal battles many of us face. This is Friday Fight 242.
How often do we pray for someone or something without considering how those prayers might circle back into our lives later on? We might receive a prayer request for a person we barely know, pray for a job we never get, or lift someone up whose story we never hear again. Yet, we still pray because we believe in the power of prayer. What if the people God places on our hearts are a part of a much bigger story He is writing for our lives? What if those persistent prayer burdens are actually glimpses of something beautiful unfolding?
The Story of Miguel: A Prayer Priority
Over five years ago, another pastor at New Life asked me to pray for his younger sibling who was entering the military. I had only met him once or twice in passing, but because he mattered to his brother, I was honored to intercede for him. What began as simple prayers for his entrance process, physical readiness, and spiritual protection quickly grew into a steady rhythm of prayer and intercession. Many times, my daughter joined me. The Holy Spirit continually placed his name on my heart, sometimes waking me from sleep, urging us to pray. And so we did. Week after week. Month after month.
I have journal pages with his name, Scriptures, and moments when God burdened my heart to intercede. He never knew about our prayers until later, but I trusted that God was at work and that, somehow, he could feel the covering of our petitions. We don’t pray to be noticed; we pray because speaking with God changes everything. Slowly, the story God was writing began to reveal itself.
Psalm 37:23 says, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly; He delights in every detail of their lives.” This reminded me that God had not only been hearing our prayers, but He had also been weaving our stories together the entire time. The details we overlook, the moments that feel ordinary, the names that keep returning to our hearts… none of it is accidental. God was guiding his steps and ours, gently prompting us to pray long before we understood why. It was His quiet way of showing us that He is always at work, connecting lives in ways we don’t always see at first.
Three years later, our paths crossed again. My daughter and I were able to pray with him in person while he was home on leave. We talked, laughed, and prayed together before he returned back to his duty station. Looking back at the moment of prayer and unexpected connection, I realized a powerful truth: We had been praying for the young man who would soon join our family. My daughter had been helping me pray for her future husband. Look at God!
When our hearts are burdened for someone, it is often because He is preparing a place for them in our story. Big or small, seen or unseen, we can trust His leading and prompts every single time.
If God wakes you at night… pray.
If He brings someone to mind… pray.
If He places a name, a church, or a job on your heart… pray.
Who is He calling you to pray for today, and what story might He be writing through your obedience?
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In His Grace,
Pastor Shannon
River Church