When Shoes Go Missing and Prayers Go Up

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16b (NIV)

Arise and shine, dear one! God is with you!

It was one of those mornings… the kind where everything feels hurried, shoes go missing, and someone inevitably ends up crying. As the school bus approached, my youngest son clung to me with tears streaming down his face, devastated that he had to wear different shoes than the ones he'd set his heart on. Our kind bus driver gently coaxed him aboard, and the door closed with a final whoosh.

I took a deep breath, my cheeks burning with embarrassment as I realized the entire neighborhood had witnessed our morning chaos. Walking quickly back to the house, I looked forward to a hot cup of coffee and a quiet moment to collect myself. My heart was still racing… getting everyone out the door had felt like an intense cardio workout.

I immediately texted my husband about our crazy morning, knowing he would lift us up in prayer. As the day unfolded, something shifted. My frazzled spirit began to settle. During an afternoon walk, I was suddenly enveloped by God's Presence and an unexplainable peace. In that moment, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me that prayer truly makes a difference… perhaps someone was interceding for me at that very moment, and that's why this supernatural peace was washing over me.

James reminds us that the prayer of a righteous person carries real power and produces real results. Our prayers make a tangible difference, even when we can't see the outcome with our own eyes. God is always listening, always responding, and spiritual battles are being won in realms beyond our awareness.

Has God been bringing someone to mind lately who needs prayer, dear one? When that happens, don't hesitate. Pray for them right then and there! You may never know the full impact of your intercession, but there's something thrilling about partnering with God through prayer to accomplish what only He can do. Your prayers might be the very instrument God uses to bring peace to another weary parent having their own chaotic morning, or comfort to someone facing a battle you know nothing about.