An Ode to the Praying Woman

By Brenda Savanhu

Sleep interrupted 

She rolls over and gently rubs her eyes 

Brushing away the fogginess of her mind 

It’s 3 am 

Thoughts come into focus, she remembers why she’s awake 

It’s the dead of night, the perfect time to meet with her Savior 

Her desire to meet with Him overshadows her desire to go back to sleep. 

Only He knows exactly what she’s going through 

Only He can relate fully

She settles herself in her prayer corner and opens her prayer box again

It is overflowing with requests, all seemingly insurmountable 

She looks up and is comforted when she sees Him 

Her eyes question, “which one today, Lord?” 

He smiles gently and nods and looks down at her hand hovering over that one request

The one she has agonized over. 

The one that seems more impossible than the rest

She takes a deep breath as she closes her eyes and whispers,

“Lord, teach me how to pray,” 

She opens her mouth, and words begin to flow

Her prayer starts timidly and gradually gains steam

She hears herself and wonders, “Is that me praying?” 

She is recalling scriptures she didn’t know she knew

And declaring boldly things she was never courageous enough to say

She leans into the rapids of the river of her emotions 

It’s dangerous sport, but her Protector is here

He’ll fish her out if she falls in

The rapids are intense

Tears flow down her face 

Her voice rises and falls

She marches around her room

Then she abruptly stops 

She is enveloped by His glory 

And throws herself on the floor

The weight is too much

All she can do is lay prostrate

She is lost in intercession

Time and space have ceased to exist 

Some nights this goes on for hours

Other nights, only 15 minutes 

She is the praying woman

She is the one who has partnered with Jesus in intercession 

She is the one who seeks neither credit nor expects to be rewarded for times in the closet 

He rewards her anyway 

Sometimes her reward is seeing answered prayers 

Sometimes it’s simply the gift of His presence 

Whatever it is, we will never know the breadth and depth of the ministry of the praying woman 

Thank you, Sister for your fervent, effectual prayers

Thank you for midnight prayers

Thank you for early morning prayers

Thank you for noontime prayers 

Thank you for nighttime prayers

Thank you for praying for our families

Thank you for praying for our health

Thank you for praying for our relationships

Thank you for praying for our communities 

Thank you for praying for our cities 

Thank you for praying for our countries

Thank you for praying for our world 

Thank you for praying for us 

Thank you, Sister 

May He be your everlasting reward

In your private ministry of prayer 

Brenda is the author of Memorial Stones - A Guided Devotional Journal for Foundational Miracles in Your Life, which was born out of her return to Jesus and subsequent journey of faith from then until now.  Memorial Stones is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Google Play.