Trinity Blog Article by Trey Sherwood

The Power of a Prayer

About a month ago, I witnessed first hand the transformative power of prayer. While teaching a dog obedience class, I fully ruptured my Achilles tendon. Pop! It happened in a second; I just stepped the wrong way.

This injury was a shock to me in many ways. It was my first major accident, first surgery, first time depending on my husband, family and friends for my well-being and my first extended time away from a job that I love.

It was also the first time I was blessed to be on Trinity’s prayer list.

For those that haven’t experienced the life-changing power of prayer, let me say “wow” and thank you! Your supplications to God are making all the difference in my ongoing recovery. I have been pain free and ahead of schedule with my physical therapy because of your love and care for me, your sister in Christ.

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. – James 5:14 -16

Realizing what the power of prayer can do for those on our growing prayer list at Trinity, I challenge you to take your prayer practice a step further. Ask God to help lead and guide you then take a moment in the morning to pray for someone you read about or see in the news. In the afternoon, pray for the first stranger you see out on the street. In the evening, pray for a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.

In these difficult times of loss, confusion and sadness, it is tempting to let the feeling of hopelessness overshadow God’s love for the world. We often wonder, “What can I do to make a difference?” My observation is that prayer, openness to God’s presence in our lives and His deep love for us makes all the difference in the world!

So this week I challenge you to share a hug, a kind word, a big smile and especially a prayer with or for a friend, stranger or someone different than yourself. Let us seek out opportunities to create hope, love and understanding as God works through us in powerful ways.

As always, thank you for your prayers!

Trey Sherwood is the Director of the Laramie Main Street Alliance, a non-profit organization focused on economic development, historic preservation and community building. Sherwood is a volunteer dog trainer at Rockin’ E and she serves on the Laramie Public Art Coalition, Laramie Mural Project, Laramie’s Public Art Plan, TELC’s Campus Ministry and is a board member of the Laramie Plains Museum and Wyoming State Historical Society.