1 Samuel 1:27
The first half of 1 Samuel 1:27 has become a popular verse: “For this child I have prayed.” Hanging on walls of nurseries and typed in pregnancy announcements, it has become familiar, something we don’t think twice about.
Yet this verse stirred in my heart after a crisis situation one of our youth went through.
RAHAB is all about building relationships. We walk with survivors and support them in their healing journeys. This, of course, means that we build deep bonds with the women and children we serve.
Prayer in Crisis
When a crisis situation is underway for any of the women and children we serve, it is impossible for us not to feel for their pain. We are unable to entirely remove ourselves from the situation emotionally.
As I thought about my time with this youth, about how myself and others poured into her, this verse echoed in my mind. For this child I have prayed.
It was so true. With her, at her request, at staff meetings, in my own alone time with God. I have prayed for this child’s life to be led by Light. I have prayed for her to walk down the right path, for her safety, for her freedom.
There comes a point, after we have given emotional support, social services, and relational guidance that praying becomes the only thing we can do. The final defense.
Not as a last resort, but a continual cry to the Father to heal this child. For Him to heal her heart, heal her spirit.
Ultimately, her life is between her and God. Her choices are her own and while our hand will be offered to her time and time again, she has to choose to grasp it.
Yet we will pray that she will, time and time again.
If someone is not ready to receive our services, there is little else we can do. Yet we will be consistent in loving her well, staying in contact, and continuously offering her the hope that is Jesus.
Whether she is 16 or 76, for this child of God, we have prayed. For the children of God, we will always pray.