These last few weeks, our team has been working with a church called New Song, located in the nearby village of Candelaria. A few weeks back, I decided I wanted to learn more about prayer, specifically intercessory prayer. So when I was given the chance to lead a Bible study, I decided prayer was the topic to teach on, and in teaching I learned much more about prayer for myself. God has a way of exceeding expectations, of going above and beyond what I could have hoped for when I decided to learn about prayer. The greatest lesson in prayer came from observation, experience, and being in the presence of a prayer warrior as she did what she does best – pray!
One day in Candelaria, a group of women were supposed to take Ryan and me around the village doing evangelism, but a down-pouring of rain kept us separated and inside. By the time the rain had stopped we only had a short amount of time left before we had to leave the village for the day. As a group we decided our remaining time would be best spent in prayer.
Linda, a permanent missionary in the area, introduced Ryan and me to the three incredible women: Rosa, Coni, and Maria. For several minutes, Rosa and Coni told us stories of the countless ways that they've seen God answer prayers and perform miracles. I quickly realized I was in the presence of a prayer warrior!
Every morning at 3, Rosa wakes up to pray for the sick, unsaved, church members, missionaries, and anyone else who's in need. She's lived through so many hard things in her life, including a stroke, yet she is one of the strongest women I've ever met. Her faith is rock solid and because of that faith God has given her the spiritual gift of healing. When someone in the village gets sick, the first thing they do is call Rosa to pray, making her the unofficial "doctor" of Candelaria. Coni raved about her as she described how Rosa prayed over a recently paralyzed woman, anointing her legs with oil, and calling her to stand up. Rosa admitted that she was "a little surprised" when the woman stood up!
"Is any of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up." -James 5:14-15
Another miracle, Rosa's daughter was declared dead by eight doctors in two different hospitals after being electrocuted left a two inch hole in her forehead. Rosa's daughter is alive and well today with only a scar to show her near-death healing.
Coni, Ryan, Rosa, me (Allegra)
After hearing these stories and recovering from the shock and awe of God's power, our group exchanged prayer requests and prayed all together. Linda said, "If you have anything you need prayer for, now is the time!" You better believe I gave Rosa and the other women my requests! For the next 30 minutes, we prayed, calling out to God. These women prayed with passion, confidence, and such faith! I wish everyone would pray as we did together that afternoon. When they spoke to God, they believed He could and would work. In my weak faith, I sometimes doubt God's power or will to do miracles on earth today. But these women, especially Rosa, live by the words in Mark 11:23-24.
"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes, that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
I learned so much about faith and prayer from Rosa and the other women. I am beginning to step into the gift of prayer that God has so generously given us! We are so blessed to have a Father who cares enough for us to listen to and grant our requests! As my faith and prayer life strengthen and grow, I am becoming an intercessor. Some day soon, I will be able to say with full confidence,
"I am a prayer warrior!"
