A Powerless Body, Powerful Prayers

A Powerless Body, Powerful Prayers

The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. Psalm 138:8

Wilma’s arthritis was especially bad one morning as she limped across the living room floor to the hospital bed where her paralyzed sister, Adah, lay. For two years, Wilma had cared for Adah—bathing her, turning her, feeding her, and trying to rub the achy pain out of a tired body that only vaguely resembled the woman her sister had once been. The neurological disease had begun as a slowing down that forced Adah first to a cane, then a walker, a wheelchair, and finally to this bed.

As Adah watched her sister limp toward her, she whispered apologetically, “I can’t do a thing.”

Wilma patted her sister’s arm, fighting back tears as she said a silent prayer: Lord, give me something encouraging to say.

The answer came immediately: “You can still pray,” Wilma said. “And this family certainly needs plenty of prayer. Will you do that?”

Adah’s eyes glistened as she answered, “I will.”

Each morning, Wilma told her sister of particular needs and then would hear her whispered prayers throughout the day. When a neighbor mentioned his brother was facing a series of complicated medical tests, Wilma assured him of her prayers. Then she added, “And I’ll tell Adah. She’ll pray until we get word about his condition.”

A few days later, the elated neighbor called. The doctors had decided his brother’s problem could be controlled with medication rather than surgery. But he asked for Adah’s continued prayers for the entire family. Later at work, he told about the woman who prayed all day. Soon even strangers were calling with requests. And, always, a woman who thought she couldn’t do a thing presented countless needs to the Creator of the Universe. —SANDRA

Lord, help me to remember Adah when I’m tempted to feel sorry for myself because I think I can’t do anything. Help me to remember your great power instead of my great lack.

When I think of those who have influenced my life the most, I think not of the great but of the good. —JOHN KNOX (1514–1572), SCOTTISH RELIGIOUS REFORMER