Intercessory Prayer- Karen Wackett

At a recent event I was asked

 about how I use intercessory prayer.

I shared the simple process of choosing a prayer verse

 and praying that verse over a person or family.

 This can also be a church worker's family 

and church.

Very rarely do I hear the follow up story 

of sharing this blessing with folks.

I don't really need to know 

what happens with a prayer card. 

 My part is the obedience of praying, 

and opening the door to space for the Holy Spirit

 to continue any work or ministry.

But once in awhile...

So, I share the story of a letter 

received in the mail today from Shirley Lastner- 

mother of Karen Wackett.

Karen's dad, Roy Lastner 

died recently and Shirley shared this story:

"Recently, my daughter, Karen Wackett, 

shared with me a sympathy and prayer card

 you sent to her and Kevin

 at the death of my husband, Roy.

The Bible verse from Nehemiah,

"The Joy of the Lord is your strength," 

which was on your card,

 was the sermon theme for Roy's memorial service. 

I had shared with Pastor Aaron Bueltmann 

about the cross on my refrigerator

 that had that verse on it, 

and how much I drew strength 

from that verse during my husband's illness.

 I even gave him a cross 

with the same verse at Christmas.

Later, after my husband went to be with the Lord, 

Pastor Aaron came to see me 

and saw the cross on my refrigerator. 

When he left he said he knew 

what his theme would be for the memorial service.

At the service, when he started to talk 

about the joy of the Lord 
and held up the cross I gave him,

 he looked directly at me and gave me a big smile.

 I gave him a "thumbs up".

 I told him later I wondered,

 if that was the first time anyone 

gave a Pastor  "thumbs up" in church.

I told Karen I wanted to thank you
 for the prayer 

 and she gave me your address. 

The prayer card is now on my refrigerator 

next to the cross. 
I truly believe that true joy 

only comes from knowing the Lord.

 What a friend we have in Jesus.

May you have a blessed Easter,

He is Risen."

Shirley Lastner 

I had walked around for about two weeks
 struggling to decide the verse 
to pray over this grieving family.
 I woke up one morning
 and went directly to this verse.
I made the prayer card, filled it in,
 and colored and prayed.
I keep a copy of the prayers  
in a photo album to continue to pray. 
 I sent the original card to the Wackett family.
And in this story- full circle,
I am blessed in return. 
For once, I see the bigger picture
 of the mighty hand of our Lord,
 as He weaves together the prayers of His people,
 the ministry of His called servants,
 and the ones He so tenderly cares for and loves.
His majestic hand 
is surely in the details of our lives.

Karen Wackett serves with her husband,
 Rev. Kevin Wackett,
at Bethany Lutheran Church in Salisbury, Maryland.
Rev. Aaron Bueltmann serves 
Advent Lutheran Church in Forest Hill, Maryland.
And a special thank you to Shirley Lastner for telling-
"the rest of the story."