I’m Hearing Voices

I cherish rare moments when people pray for me.

I always pray with people. And for them. I believe in it! But it is a real treat to have someone take my hand and pray for me. It happens. When I’m making a hospital visit or I am welcomed into someone’s home, I will suggest we pray at the finish. We hold hands. And then occasionally, (OK, rarely!) just when I draw a breath to speak, the one laying in the hospital bed will address God and begin to pray aloud. Praying for me! Gene Bowling was fond of doing that. It always inspired me.

During our Spiritual Life Revival I got to spend significant time with my friend and brother pastor, Mark Winter. Several times he prayed for me. When I meet with a Clergy Development Group from Texas Methodist Foundation, it’s our tradition to pray for each other—nine pastors of similar-size churches across Texas—and we lift each other between our meetings as well. Whenever I meet with my District Superintendent or other mentors, I cherish hearing their voices and words as they pray for me.

It’s just a few hours ago now. And it was a complete surprise to me. On the last night of our revival, Mark Winter invited your pastors to come to the altar area and he invited you, the congregation, to come up and pray for us. Wow! I melted before the altar and closed my eyes. Soon a hand was on my shoulder and another on my elbow. The warmth and energy of someone occasionally kneeling beside me. And then the voices started. Whispers, full voices, one on my left, another on my right. And then one above me—up higher. Here and there, the prayers overlapped and continued. A cloud of witnesses was all around me, lifting me—as Natalie says—two feet off the ground! Or higher.

I’m still hearing voices. I hope the tradition of praying for your pastors will continue because it changes me and I believe it changes you when you do the praying!

Like that night…Voices and people came and went. Some prayed silently—I could still hear them. I felt so full that tears spilled—cleansing tears. Some voices I recognized and some I didn’t. And it seemed like forever. I’m sure that I heard both my parents. And maybe even Gene Bowling.