There is something that I have struggled with; I guess it could be classified as a faith thing, yet it is something I want to give voice to—just in case anyone else has had similar thoughts. It is this…

I follow some well-known teachers, gifted pastors, and other public figures who have large followings. Occasionally, something will happen in their lives or families, such as illnesses, accidents, or other tragedies, and they will extend a call for prayer. Many will respond with compassion and heartfelt prayers—and frequently (but not always) God will answer in powerful ways.

For most of us, however, we do not have hundreds or thousands of followers. We don’t have the prayer backing and support that most public figures enjoy. So, when I read their calls for prayer, I have this niggling little thought skipping around in my subconscious that God will hear and answer those prayers, but my single, quiet cry is hidden far back behind the throngs of voices joined together in single purpose.

However, I do not believe that most the Psalmist’s earnest prayers were more than his own, single voice calling out to the throne of God:

“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and He answered me from His holy hill.” (Psalm 3:3-4)

“In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears.” (Psalm 18:6)

“O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.” (Psalm 30:2)

“Blessed be the Lord, for He has wondrously shown His steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. I had said in my alarm, ‘I am cut off from your sight.’ But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help. Love the Lord, all you His saints! The Lord preserves the faithful…. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 31:21-24)

I recall the story of a woman, broken physically and financially, beyond her resources, beyond what the doctors could do for her, beyond hope—yet she reached out to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. He was on the way to the home of an important person, a ruler of the synagogue, and people pressed Jesus all about as He walked. It was in the clamor of the multitude that He felt her tentative touch. It was, no doubt, scary and intimidating for her when the Master was on the way to the dignitary’s house. Yet in the midst of the many, He sensed the touch of one. And He stopped.

“And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before Him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. And He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’” (Luke 8:47-48)

…and He addresses each one of us as son or daughter.

I will continue to pray when calls to prayer are extended. And with those requests I will remember the silent ones, the ones who don’t have the support of families or large followings to come alongside them in prayer. It is a good time, also, to remember the persecuted church around the world, as well as those in this country who are facing opposition for their faith and their stands for righteousness.

And something else. Let’s confront the lies and the liar who sought from the beginning of time to undermine the relationship between God and man, and who continues to do so! God’s relationship with every individual is unique and personal (“For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb…. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” – Psalm 139:13, 18), and He personally invites each one of His children to, “with confidence, draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)