More From Michael Gooch

One of my most profound experiences with prayer occurred in an unexpected way.  Shortly after becoming a Christian, I received a call inviting me to join the church choir. I was reluctant, thinking I lacked the talent necessary, but the director persisted and assured me I could do it. It was at choir practice that I first met Fred. I was 35 years old at the time, and Fred was in his 70s. He helped me immensely; I could not read music. We became good friends.

After I completed graduate school, my family and I moved 3000 miles away, but I remained in touch with Fred through regular correspondence. As a new Christian I missed the love and support I had experienced at our old church, and I felt lost as to how God could use me. I was also frustrated with my job at the time. Fred suffered a stroke which required time in a rehabilitation facility. But he continued to write, improved, and was discharged to home.

One week Fred was on my mind, and I felt the need to write him. After a difficult and frustrating morning at work, I did something I had seldom ever done. I decided to go home for a short break. I checked my mailbox when I got home, and saw a letter from Fred! My excitement was short-lived, however. Inside was a brief letter from Fred’s wife and a copy of Fred’s obituary. He had suffered another stroke, and this time he had not recovered.

Initially I put her letter aside and read the obituary. It described a life well-lived for the Lord and included things Fred never told me about himself, such as that he has worked as a Bible translator. I turned back to the letter with a question on my mind. Why had Fred’s wife written me? I knew who she was, but other than speaking to her briefly in church, I did not know her well. Her letter provided the answer to my question. When Fred died, she had found his prayer list and my name was on it. She was writing to let me know Fred would no longer be praying for me.

In the fifth chapter of Revelation, the prayers of the saints are described as incense rising before the throne of God (see v. 8). As I read that letter I knew that Fred was one of those saints and was still praying for me. That moment helped send my Christian life on a different trajectory. Since that experience 30 years ago, I have made it a daily discipline to pray for others. Sometimes praying is all we can do. As much as I valued Fred’s prayers, I know that we have a greater advocate in Jesus Christ who intercedes for those who believe in him.