The Power Of Prayer To Bring A Smile

The Power Of Prayer To Bring A Smile

Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony. Psalm 6:2

“Thank you for keeping your appointment today, Helen,” I said. “I know how the cold and dampness make your rheumatism feel worse.”

Helen nodded. In addition to rheumatoid arthritis, she also had lupus. I knew she had to be in a lot of pain.

“Mom’s had most of her joints replaced, but she still has so much pain,” her daughter said. “I don’t understand how that can be.”

She was right. Over the years, Helen had had a hip and both knees replaced, and her wrists were permanently fused in a neutral position. In the years before current treatments were available, the arthritis had done tremendous damage.

“I know,” I said as sympathetically as I could. “The problem is that the pain gets worse with movement, but if she doesn’t move, her muscles will weaken and atrophy, which will cause even more pain. We can try giving her more pain medicine.”

Helen sat there and never said a word. It was as if we weren’t even talking about her.

“The problem is that she’s limited by the medications she can tolerate,” her daughter added, “so I don’t know if we can do that.”

“I see. What do you think helps her most?”

“She seems her best on the days we go to church and when she sees other people. She prays for them and has prayers offered for her.

Helen smiled. It was the first time I’d seen her smile.

I learned something that day. Though Helen didn’t say a word, she reminded me how important it is for us to pray for ourselves and pray for others. We may never see the results firsthand, but our prayers may be the only thing that eases someone else’s pain.

TODAY’S RX

Prayer is like a soothing balm to both body and soul. Apply it liberally.

Lord, put on my heart today people who need prayer. Help me to be aware of their needs and to lift them up to you.