Little Old Church Ladies More Powerful Than A Locomotive and Faster Than A Speeding Bullet

I was twelve years old, standing in the church foyer after the Sunday evening service, when it happened.  In those days, we attended church both morning and evening.  It is just what we did on Sundays.  My dad, man of few words, was talking to ancient Miss Edith, a woman of many words.  I just wanted to go home where my procrastinated weekend homework was still waiting.  

"Well, Bob," she said to my dad before he walked away.  "What can I be praying for you?"

He looked at her, confused for a moment. In his mind, prayer requests were limited largely to monumental cases of cancer or to those who couldn't really make it on their own.  "No need," replied this self-sufficient, strong-willed man, nothing he couldn't muscle his way through on his own, thank you very much.

"Surely there is SOMETHING I can be praying for you."  Something was in all capital letters in that old woman's voice.

I could see my dad searching for a small dilemma that might loosely qualify as a "prayer request," when that something came to the surface of his thoughts. We had moved to Chicago several months prior. "Well, our house in New Jersey still hasn't sold, but that's not anything to bother God about." 

She didn't respond with words.  But I saw her eyes twinkle.  I had no doubt, even then, that she would not just be wrapping the situation in prayer, but my dad with her cape.

Before the next Sunday, actually within days, the house was unexpectedly sold.  There was no one more surprised than my dad.  And not surprised at all was Miss Edith.  Because she knew that the variable of prayer does not just change the situation, but totally changes the equation.  Not anything she did in her power, but only what God can do through His, far below the surface and far beyond our imagination.

It was not that God suddenly showed up, but to show us.  The answer was no coincidence at all but strategically timed. God already had it all worked out.  He just didn't want my dad to miss the supernatural.  How did this happen?  God is not restricted by natural explanations, no matter how much people try to explain Him away.

Your way was through the sea, Your path through the great waters yet Your footprints were unseen.    Psalm 77. 19 

When we pray, nothing can ever be the same, most particularly us. We have not invited God into our circumstances.  God invites us to join Him in His wonders.  The result may be as outrageous as the parting of the Red Sea.  Or an unforeseen solution that suddenly comes to the surface of our thoughts.  Do we take credit for it? Or just wonder where it came from?

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name.  Psalm 29. 2 

She didn't wear a cape, but little old Miss Edith would be the first to tell you she didn't have any special powers. She just knew what to do. She knew to pray about anything and everything. She wasn't afraid to show others that God is real. And give Him the glory.

Pray like a little old church lady with a shield of steel and a heart of gold.