Praying for friends and family is something I count as a privilege and a responsibility. But I’ll be honest with you (um…for the record, I’m always honest with you) and tell you that it’s really hard for me to ask for prayer. In fact, when I do, it’s maybe to one or two people I think I can count on to actually pray about the request with me and for me, and I rarely give all the details. So yes, I do it. But it’s rare.

However, I’m not trying to sound mystical or pious or eerie, but last night I found myself heavily burdened in the early part of the evening. I couldn’t pinpoint why. Nothing had happened. I hadn’t seen anything that would upset me. I hadn’t heard any news that would rock my world. I was just literally so whooped by this odd combination of fear over the uncertainties of the future and a sorrow that seemed to accompany it that I just I couldn’t shake it. It wasn’t depression or anything that I felt needed outside professional assistance; it was just that I knew I couldn’t do it alone—that I needed the support that only prayer could provide. It was an impending sense of need.

So from the quietness of my home office, I went on Facebook, posted on my personal page that I was taking a “Facebook fast for most of Tuesday,” and then went to the Petals from the Basket Facebook Page (which I’d love for you to follow, if you don’t already!) and posted the following note:

So, friends, you know I’m pretty open with you. And thank you for that, by the way! I couldn’t have any better people to call “my people!” That’s very cool of you! But tonight and tomorrow I could just use a little prayer squad please. God’s aware of the details, desires, and dilemmas, and He’s got a plan, so I won’t discuss anything further about it. I’m just currently unaware of that plan and a little overwhelmed by…well…let’s just say that I prefer knowing the end of the story before having to live through all the chapters! You know this is rare for me to ask, but I’d sincerely appreciate your prayers. (Seriously…so thankful for you!)

Well, my people not only began sending me notes and e-mails and comments and private messages, but they began to transform themselves into this amazing army of prayer soldiers, encircling me in a display of protection, encouragement, and strength as they called out to the Lord on my behalf. Right then. Right there. And they not only continued to pray all through the day today, but the number of soldiers in the army also grew as, unbeknownst to any of us, the time of need began to approach.

I didn’t know why I needed that prayer support. It wasn’t about me. It was about a need without a name. And here’s what happened:

I received a simple little text midafternoon that would have blown me out of the water three months ago. It would have floored me, upset my spirit, and caused me to foolishly cling to what I thought I desired. It would have rocked my world. But here’s the thing. It didn’t phase me for more than a little bump of a moment. I read the note again, talked to my friend over the phone about some more details regarding the news she had sent, and after I hung up, I thought, “Wow, God. You were smack dab in the middle of that. You knew. You protected me from my own small ambitions. You valued me enough to walk me through it those many months ago, and now You’re still walking with me…right on past it!”

At that moment, not literally but figuratively, it was as if I heard the army shout a victory cry! And unstoppable tears literally began to flow as I realized that my people…my wonderful family and friends…this wonderful army of prayer soldiers…had rallied God’s power against the enemy, even before I had known how the enemy would attempt to strike.

I don’t flatter myself that you need Petals from the Basket. But I will tell you honestly that more than ever I have realized that the writer of Petals from the Basket needs you! Thank you for being all kinds of wonderful.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2, NIV).

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere” (Ephesians 6:18, NLT).

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen” (Jude 24–25).