Grace Revealed to Grace
By Grace Andrews of Independence, MO, USA
And when you do not cry to the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer to God continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you. —Alma 16: 222, adapted
I called our son and asked if he would come and sit with his father at the hospital while I went to the doctor. My pain level was now unbearable. My doctor said I had a severe muscle spasm and ordered medication. Stopping by the local pharmacy, I was told they had the order but it would take 25 minutes to fill.
Almost writhing in pain, I sat in front of the pharmacy to wait. After a while, the clerk told me of a mix-up in my order, but that they were working on it. Unintended tears filled my eyes—I wasn’t sure how much more I could tolerate.
I barely noticed a woman and her daughter who came and sat nearby, waiting as well. Suddenly, she placed a hand gently on my shoulder. She quietly said, “Excuse me—would you mind if I prayed for you right now?” She offered a lovely prayer, bringing comfort to my soul, and returned to her seat.
My prescription in hand at last, I turned to her and said, “My husband had surgery on Monday and is still in the hospital. I am suffering from a muscle spasm. He and I are chaplains at the hospital where we pray for others—we don’t usually have someone pray for us. Thank you.”
She smiled and squeezed my hand. As I left the pharmacy, my heart was lighter, even before I took the medication. I felt as though she was the means through which the Lord revealed grace to me, at that moment.
“Blest to be a blessing, privileged to care, challenged by the need—apparent everywhere, where the world is wanting, fill the vacant place. Be the means through which the Lord reveals his grace.”
—“Let Your Heart Be Broken” by Bryan Jeffrey Leech, ©1975
The Evangelical Covenant Church, Community of Christ Sings 353
Prayer for Peace
Hear our prayers, O God. Thank you for the grace of others who pray for us with faith. Thank you for those who teach peace with their actions on our behalf.
Spiritual Practice: Healing for Broken Spirits
Begin with quiet prayer. Ask God to help you detect some “sore places” in the body of Christ and in God’s creation. Become aware of people who feel separated, wounded, or left out. Reflect on or write a short journal entry of healing words to at least one person who comes to mind. Ask God for words that will touch this person’s broken spirit like healing ointment. Keep this person in your heart and prayers today and act on any ideas that come to bring blessing and wholeness.
Peace Covenant
Today, God, I will fill the vacant place with peace.
