Surrounded By Prayer Warriors

I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! ~ Isaiah 65:24

The care package that arrived the other day from an anonymous blog reader reminded me how blessed I am to be surrounded by so many prayer warriors.  The package had no return address or notes inside.  On the outside of the package there was a message that read: sent from the heart.  Inside were five camouflage-style bracelets with raised lettering that read, prayer warrior. The blog reader wishes to remain anonymous, however, her thoughtful deed is part of the reason I survived a recent move from California to Iowa.  My family is thriving today because we have a loving God and prayer warriors who care about us.

I noticed the prayer warrior bracelets my friends were wearing during my final meal in Ramona.  Our friends told us they wore the bracelets every day while their son was serving in the marines. They continued wearing them daily after their son finished his deployment and came home safely to start his family.  Then, they took off their bracelets and gave them to my wife and me to wear on our journey to our new home state.  One of the bracelets broke from 24/7 continuous usage.  Now, we have enough bracelets for the entire family.  Here are ten examples of how prayers from our prayer warrior friends helped us on our journey:

1. On the first day of our road trip in the moving truck, the brakes failed at our first traffic light at the bottom of a steep hill.  The intersection was busy but somehow we passed through unscratched.
2. We had exactly the amount of cash we needed to pay for our moving truck and moving expenses.
3. We had a home to live in rent free while we searched for new jobs.  The family did not return from their extended vacation until three days after we moved into our new home.  When we asked to pay the utility bills, they told us to "pay it forward" and return the favor to someone else who could use a little help.
4. The entire family found jobs.  My job is a dream job supervising some of the best employees in the world.
5. We found the perfect home for our family and a seller willing to offer us seller financing even though my California short sale adversely affected my credit rating and I was told it would be three years before I could qualify for home ownership.
6. I completed a second road trip to retrieve our family car left behind in order to install a rebuilt transmission once I had enough funds.  At the end of the road trip, the check engine light came on and I brought the car in for inspection.  The mechanic told me both front wheels were about to fall off.  I drove over 1,800 miles on the edge of disaster and didn't even know it.  In Utah, there are special test zones where the speed limit is 80 mph and I was practically flying.  I had no idea how close I was to the final chapter of my life.
7. We found all the furniture we needed during a garage sale sponsored by multiple families in our new hometown.
8. Our new church is less than five hundred steps away from our front door.
9. We managed to stay healthy during our time between jobs when our health coverage was on hold.
10. We are blessed to have so many prayer warriors in our neighborhood, our jobs, and around the world who pray for our protection.

I praise God for all the wonderful people in my life.  Our prayer warrior bracelets will help us remember how all of us are connected to one another.  May God bless you on your journey and may you always be surrounded by prayer warriors.  And to my anonymous blog reader who mailed the care package I say thank you for sending this from your heart.  Your kindness will remain in our hearts forever.