Love dispatches angels

by Craig on April 15, 2011

I know the country has pretty much forgotten September 11th, 2001.

But I remember.

source

I remember a President with a bullhorn amid fireman at Ground Zero. I remember a country praying, and there is a story that still sticks with me…

Its from an e-mail written by Lindsey Yeskoo, the wife of a Christian Foreign Service Officer serving in Shanghai, and tells of meeting the President when he was in China after 9-11. He had finished a speech and then was exiting along a lined up portion of the crowd. She writes:

Then I leaned over and mentioned that we pray for him every day. He stopped dead in his tracks (a definite security NO-NO… the SS men got REALLY antsy). He searched my eyes as if to see how much I really meant what I was saying. Then he gave me the most amazing and unexpected personal response, for a good 20-30 seconds.

He told me what the effect has been on him, waking up every day of the crisis and knowing within himself that he is being faithfully prayed for. He almost pleaded with me not to give up, but to persist with it, for this is only the beginning.

Then he looked me even more squarely in my eyes, and gave me a very personal and specific series of instructions about the very things he most needs prayer for, on behalf of himself and of the nation.

He urged me that the threat against America is very great, and that one of our focuses in prayer to God needs to be “the shielding of America”… and wisdom for him as he leads the country through this time.

I don’t know why, but as I looked straight back at him directly into his face, he let me see for those brief moments a tiny part of the agony he himself is going through, and the weariness. He finished the conversation by putting his hand on my right shoulder, in an affectionate, brotherly sort of way.

I remember meeting the President once – I always will.

It was after a speech, just like this.
It was only a few seconds,
but he put his hand on my shoulder
just like in this story
The man was strong,
and not at all like he’s caricatured.
And he believes.

I remember him saying about a year after 9-11
that he knew when the prayers began for him after that day
and sadly…
he knew when the prayers. stopped.

Love prays.

Love dispatches angels.

source

This week, I slept for a scant few hours. Stretches like this happen sometimes with this insomnia I’ve got. It is what it is. After the first couple of days I should not have been able to do much of anything. After the 3rd and 4th day I shouldn’t have been able to stand.

But I was standing,
and writing,
and though not functioning very well,
still functioning.

I was being prayed for – and I, just like the President, could feel just about exactly when those prayers started – and when they were most numerous – and when they lessened. I even know that some are still there.

Thank you for your prayers this past week.

Love prays.

Maybe the best and definitely the most unexpected benefit so far from blogging has been the joy I get from praying for you. I seem to do it all the time – and it is joy.

But also,

I know I’ve been prayed for,

and before this year I named “connect”,

I hadn’t really experienced that.

I have now.

It’s awesome.

Thank you.

In God’s love.

{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

A. April 15, 2011 at 11:33 am

Craig, thank you for this very moving and thought/prayer-provoking post. I will be praying for you throughout your moving day.

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Craig April 15, 2011 at 1:16 pm

Hi A. Thank you for the prayers – I have to keep it short – moving and all today. God bless you.

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Dawn April 15, 2011 at 12:02 pm

Tears are rolling off my cheeks as I just finished reading this post. Powerful! I join A. in praying with you throughout the day.

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Craig April 15, 2011 at 1:18 pm

Thank you Dawn – thank you. I know angels have been around this week – thank you for the prayers. God bless.

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Christina April 15, 2011 at 12:49 pm

I just read your 100 things, I knew there was a reason I love reading your blog–you went to Covenant Seminary. I did my undergrad at Covenant College:)
Blessings on your day!

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Craig April 15, 2011 at 1:19 pm

It’s a small works Christina – thank you for your kind words – have to keep this short – it’s moving day and it’s raining – grrrrrrr – God bless you – thank you.

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Debbie April 15, 2011 at 1:27 pm

Praying for you through the move, the rain, the no sleep . . .that He carries you. . .a Father carrying His son. God bless you and thank you for what you’ve shared in this post. It’s so important!

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Craig April 17, 2011 at 6:12 pm

Eeeeek – the rain was almost tornado strength – grrrrr – even lst a couch cushion on the highway – double grrrrrrrr – and Deb, I lost Laska the love kitty for a while too – not to worry he’s found. Interesting move. Thank you as always Deb. God Bless.

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Emilie April 15, 2011 at 6:28 pm

Thanks for the reminder, Craig. I think I forget sometimes, how powerful prayer is. And I just remembered that I was just reading a book last night, and a character prayed and an angel was dispatched. That’s cool. 🙂 And, by the way, I finally have new words on my blog! 🙂

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Craig April 17, 2011 at 6:18 pm

I read the new words – hearted them. and angels – they are to serve God and us – I ask for them to be sent all the time – it’s biblical – and I’ve seen magic done. God bless you Emilie – and thank you.

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Michelle April 16, 2011 at 3:40 am

Hope you can find everything when you have moved! God bless

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Craig April 17, 2011 at 6:20 pm

Time will tell – Michelle – time will tell – I don’t have very much – I’m thinking it’ll all show up. Even the couch cushion that blew away on the 5 lane highway. 🙂 God bless YOU too.

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Cora April 16, 2011 at 8:26 am

I remember. I’ll never forget, either. It’s so deep in my mind that it will always be there, as if it happened yesterday. And the Lord had the right man in that position of president at just the right time. Your post today reminded me of Moses and all those who held his arms up in prayer. I’m still holding yours, Craig!

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Craig April 17, 2011 at 6:23 pm

Thank you Cora – the week of no sleep seems to be passing. Prayers kept me going suring the week – not very well – but there would have been no going at all without them. Everything is relative 🙂 God Bless you Cora – and yes, he was the right man for the job. and thank you again.

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Patti April 17, 2011 at 4:57 pm

I will never forget 9/11/2001. I also wrote a post about it. I know that George Bush is a believer. Your words about how he knew when the praying started for him and when it stopped really struck me. I am reminded that there is great power in prayer. Angels really are sent on missions when we pray. What an encouragement that is to continue. I hope your move is going well. I am praying for you.

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Craig April 17, 2011 at 6:25 pm

I was really struck by that when I heard it too Patti – can you imagine the millions praying for him and feeling that strength – then little by little having less and less of it. Only believers can now read that into history – to us it’s real. And the move – like I said in the other comments – it was ……….. interesting. God Bless you Patti. and thank you for the prayers.

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Anna April 18, 2011 at 12:45 pm

love this post 🙂

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Craig April 18, 2011 at 1:22 pm

Anna,

Brevity? Not my gift. But I get what you’ve said and I’m grateful for your kind words. And with three little words you made my day. God bless you Anna, and my heartfelt thanks.

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