The Power of Collaborating!
The Power of Collaborating!
When the husband of one of my UCLA
group of friends became very ill last summer, it was suggested that we form a
prayer chain. Although the eight of us ladies were spread out from east coast
to west, the prayer chain united us as we interceded for Jeanne and her
husband, Paul.
Without fail, at least one person
in the group would text a prayer, scripture or words of encouragement for Jeanne,
Paul’s primary care-giver. Sent to the entire group, those daily texts always
jogged my memory and helped me to consistently pray for them. Often Al and I
prayed together, because he too had known the couple for many years and had
become closer to Paul when our entire group, spouses included, met in Palm
Springs last May for a long-awaited reunion.
The commitment to daily prayer
continued until the beginning of October, when Paul quietly slipped away. The
bonds we formed in the 70’s at college grew stronger, even though later we each
went our own way, and moved to various parts of the country.
Jeanne and Paul were steadfast in their faith
even in the midst of their trial. Often, Jeanne would text a verse or insight
from the Bible that had comforted her that day. She was always full of
gratitude for the blessing of a long and happy marriage with Paul.
During those months, not only were
the two of them uplifted and supported, my faith was strengthened as well. The others
in the group also provided encouragement through their texts and prayers. Even
though the answer to our prayer for Paul was not what we had hoped for, in the
end, there was the peace of knowing that Paul was with God in Heaven and that God
would take care of Jeanne.
As she shared in a recent email: “That prayer
chain meant so much to me in the dark lonely days during Paul's illness and
after his death. I think Paul would agree that it sustained us both, even now.”
Rather than ending in October, the
commitment to pray for Jeanne and for each other has continued, providing
support and stimulating spiritual growth. This kind of collaboration was
pictured in a different way by a musician in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra who
plays the double bass.
He, Stephen Molina, described the bass as a
supportive instrument, one which seldom plays the melody but usually harmonizes
with the other instruments. It is an important role, because even though
soloists draw most of the attention, the musicians rely on and learn from each
other. The result of their collaboration is an amazing symphony orchestra whose
audiences are inspired by its performances.
So it is with friends supporting
each other in a time of need. Remember the paralytic whose four friends carried
him on a stretcher and lowered him through the roof of a house so that he could
get help from Jesus? Perhaps they had
been steadfastly praying for him and were determined to take him to Jesus one
way or another.
The result was amazing! Jesus
stopped talking to the people who had crowded into the home, perhaps reaching
up to support the stretcher as it dropped to the ground. How did the man lying
on the stretcher feel? Scared? Humiliated? Hopeful? Convicted of his sins, when
face to face with Jesus?
The sin issue was what Jesus
addressed first, surprising him as well as his friends…and angering the religious
leaders in attendance. But then, he heard these inspiring words… “I tell
you, get up, take your mat and go home...” * and the paralytic man was
healed!
There is power in collaborating, relying on
each other, working and praying together!
As followers of Jesus, may we walk
into the new year with the commitment to do just that! Happy New Year!
Two portions of scripture that have
become Jeanne’s favorites are:
“Count
it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing
of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full
effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1: 2-4 ESV)
“Do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians
4:6-7 ESV)
*Luke
5: 24b NIV
Pictured above: Al (on right) with Paul in Joshua Tree National Park.
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