Brothers and sisters: We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling
and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith. // 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Foot propped up on a pillow, gauze wrappings gently tucked around my big toe, I tried to stay still while my foot throbbed. In a sudden and traumatic accident involving my left big toe nail and my refrigerator door, I somehow managed to severely injure myself one Saturday evening.
In my tear-filled haze, I typed out a message to my family group-chat asking for prayers. My mom and sister were responsive as usual, and they offered to send me some care-package items.
I also decided to post a few stories over on Instagram. I had been taking a social media slow-down break, but wanted to let my friends know about my toe incident and ask for prayers.
And boy, did they deliver.
I received numerous well-wishes, prayers, hopes for healing, sympathy, and shared stories. It was an outpouring of love and support. The messages were non-stop. People checked in throughout the week just to ask how I was doing.
How many times have I thought to ask for prayers regarding something going on in my life, but changed my mind, not wanting to burden others? And similarly, how often do I become cynical when others offer their thoughts and prayers but feel it’s done without sincerity?
But sister, throughout Scripture, we are told to pray for one another—for strength, for encouragement, for reminders, for solidarity.
Those genuine offers of thoughts, prayers, and love gave me encouragement while I was healing from my injury. And I am so grateful.
Sister, when you see a prayer request, how do you pray for that person? Write their names down in your prayer journal, close your eyes and pray a Hail Mary, add them to your weekly intentions for Holy Hour, offer a decade of your Rosary to that person. Prayer is powerful; do it for one another.
Prayer is powerful; do it for one another. // @substance_soul Click to tweet
Dr. Samantha Aguinaldo-Wetterholm is a wife and mom to four little ones and practices dentistry at a public health community center for low income families in the Bay Area, California. She (unashamedly) thinks ice cream is its own food group and does not leave the house without wearing sparkly earrings. She was a contributing author to All She Had. and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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