Ep.54 Standing in the Gap

I need a friend who intercedes, and that’s the friend I want to be.
 
Kimber and Meghan talk about how intercessory prayer can become an integral part of your friendships, not just a sentiment you throw out. They also discuss the fatigue of interceding over a long trial and how to authentically invite intercession into your relationships.

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Transcript

Kimber: 0:09

Hey friends. Welcome to the, your sister Kimber podcast. My name is Kimber Gilbert, and I'm so glad you're here. Praying for your friends might be second nature for you or more of a challenge, but intercession can be such a powerful practice to grow our faith and strengthen our friendships. I'm digging into this as my series guest, co-host Megan frable today. As we seek to grow closer to Jesus with the confidence that growing with him will spill good things out into our friendships. I pray. Our conversation helps you grow deep, authentic friendships that honor God and Dre, closer to DCIS the true source of community in our lives. Today. I wish we could all grab a sugary blended coffee, drink of some kind and talk this out over a long walk, but this is the next best thing. I'm so glad you're here, friend. Let's get started. hello, Megan.

Meghan: 1:05

Hey, Kimber, how are you?

Kimber: 1:06

I'm good. I'm

Meghan: 1:08

Good. Good.

Kimber: 1:09

to, join you again, friends listening. If you haven't been able to tune into our conversations yet, for this series that we're doing this summer, it's called Being the Friend You Need, and we have Megan Frak with us as our special guest co-host for series. so Megan, if our friends haven't listened and don't know you yet, what would you say is your favorite part of Summer?

Meghan: 1:30

Oh, hiking.

Kimber: 1:32

Okay. Yes. Which one are you? What's, what are you like most excited to hike this summer, do you think?

Meghan: 1:39

Oh, I'm actually hoping to get some new hikes in that I haven't done. Um, so There's one in Seward, so sewer's a couple

Kimber: 1:46

Ooh.

Meghan: 1:47

from us for those that aren't like local. Um, it's the Harding Harding ice field, and I'm excited. I really, that's been on my list to do, to hike up to where it feeds all the glaciers in the Kenai, uh, like fjords area. So, um, it's, it's like a nine mile hike, uh, like out and back. So that's on my list. So we'll see if the snow will melt.

Kimber: 2:08

Yeah, that sounds really fun. Absolutely. It, well, actually, it sounds fun for you. I probably wouldn't be able to hack it. Um, but, but it sounds amazing. Sounds

Meghan: 2:17

Yes. Hiking. What about you? What do you wait,

Kimber: 2:20

Oh my gosh. Um, well, it's kind of simple, but I'm really excited to do flower outdoor stuff. and so, I mean, obviously we're recording this a few weeks before it's gonna actually air, and so we're just getting some warmer days, this week, I feel like, and it's, it's got me dreaming. It's got me itching for some, some gardening,

Meghan: 2:39

know I love gardening, and hopefully when this airs, you'll have them planted and

Kimber: 2:43

I know.

Meghan: 2:44

please, please.

Kimber: 2:45

Blooming and beautiful. That's the help. Well, uh, we are talking today about intercession, intercessory prayer, and, friends, if you haven't gotten to listen to our first two conversations, um, the first one we kind of introduced this, the idea of this series, which is just about like being the friend that you need, like the people around us. They impact us. And so when we're looking at like, who are our closest relationships that are pouring into our lives, um, we wanna be intentional about who we're allowing to speak our lives and, who is kind of molding us and shaping us. And so, um, we're just looking at, in this series some things that. Can be important to that and that can grow these, these deep relationships with our closest people. and then last week we talked about prayer and just how that relationship with the Lord, when that is like rich and deep and authentic, uh, that leeches out into all of our relationships, um, because it's like an outflow of a relationship with him into, those around us. And so, uh, today, I forced us last week to sort of not talk about. The side of prayer that is relational, which is really the idea of intercessory prayer when we're praying for friends, um, for people in our lives, talking to God on behalf of someone else is this idea of intercession. And last week I was like, we'll get to it. We'll have a whole week to talk about it because I feel like, at least for me, I don't know about you, Megan, I'm guessing this is true for you. Um, I'm very relational person and so I feel like it's actually easier for me to pray with other people. and I don't think that's like good or bad necessarily. I think we just, different people have different, aspects of prayer that they're more comfortable with. I know that's not true for everyone. I know there's people who are like, no, like I get really nervous to pray with other people or whatever. Um, but what about you? What do, do you feel like this, like praying communally and corporately is. More of a sweet spot or is it more of a challenge for you?

Meghan: 4:43

I, I love it. It's like one of my, favorite things to do. I would say that that's where I've grown a lot in, because I never had a problem praying for somebody if it was like in a corporate setting or, like it was kind of expected,

Kimber: 4:58

hmm.

Meghan: 4:58

it's been more of a growth point for me and actually more, I mean, it's been really awesome of in the moment like when a friend is like, we're processing something, be like, Hey, let's just stop and pray about it. Like, for some people like, oh, but that's been, um, just to have that intentional. moment of like, wow, you're, this is really hard. Or man, why don't we stop it or just praise God for this and, and do that. Um, that's been more of like a growth point for me, um, when it's just maybe a conversation and, and taking that pause to say like, Hey, can we, can I pray over you? Like, let's pray about it.

Kimber: 5:32

Yeah, cuz I feel like that's the aspect that's a little more countercultural maybe is cuz like, you know, you think of like corporate prayer in church or something like, oh we're praying for someone who's sick, like as the body or as like a small group. Um, that has never been super challenging for me either. I feel like that seems pretty natural. Maybe it's just cuz I grew up in doing that. but I love that idea of. You know, you're just talking with someone one-on-one and you're like, Hey, like, let's talk to God about this too. Um, and actually doing it in that

Meghan: 6:04

And doing it. Yeah. Yeah. And I It's become such like, something that I love so much that when I now like get off the phone with somebody, if I, and they've like, we've talked about something, maybe it's happening in their life, and I'll be like, man, I should have p like prayed for them. I will, I have called them back before and been

Kimber: 6:21

I love that.

Meghan: 6:22

should have prayed for you. Like I should have done it. I'm sorry. Can we pray? Like, um, and so I try, I can, like, I'll try to do that if I didn't in that moment. Like it's almost become like this conviction

Kimber: 6:33

Mm. I love that. I've definitely been in the spot. And I wonder if you have too, it sounds like where you, like say you'll pray for someone and then you forget.

Meghan: 6:43

Oh, yes.

Kimber: 6:44

and that's something that I've been trying to grow in, over the past years is, you know, if I say that, I'll pray for someone that needs to not just be like a sentiment,

Meghan: 6:54

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Kimber: 6:55

needs to be Action. Um, like, so I was feeling really convicted. about, I think it's just like, In the church culture. That's what you say. Like

Meghan: 7:04

I'll pray for you. Yeah.

Kimber: 7:05

something hard, that they're going through, you say you'll pray for them. And I was feeling so convicted because I felt like it was just a sentiment, um, that I was saying, and then I was actually like not actually talking to God about it. And so that's something that I'm trying to grow in. Have you ever struggled with doing that? Um, how did you like kind of break out of that? Was it just like praying in the moment together?

Meghan: 7:28

Oh yeah, I, that's actually something that I've was also convicted of and still am. Cuz it, it is, and I, and I don't think, like my intention was wrong of like, oh, I'll pray for you. And then not like I'm middle of doing dishes. Like something, you know, there's a distraction that happened. But I got the same thing. Like, I started feeling really convicted of like, man, I'm sane. Like that's, Prayer is so powerful. And when I am choosing not to do that, and I say I am like, oh, like that's not, I don't know, it just, it didn't sit right with in my spirit. And so, yeah, like, and it'll even be like, This happened a couple weeks ago, driving with the kids and got a text message about something while I was driving and I was like, guys, let's just pray. You know, and I didn't need to go into details with them, but just like, Hey guys, let's pray for so-and-so. Or, yeah, so trying to do it in the moment or I've even like set an alarm. I've done that too. Like where,

Kimber: 8:18

That's a great idea.

Meghan: 8:19

I probably take the amount of time to set the alarm as would actually pray, but

Kimber: 8:25

but I suppose if you like want to pray more deeply to set that for later. Yeah. Or at a time, like if someone's like, I'm having surgery on this time, like, I, will forget friend. Like,

Meghan: 8:38

no. Yes. If it's specific, like I will, I will actually do that and set, set an alarm of like when or when is your, yeah. When is your surgery or when is Okay. Yeah. And I'll write it down or somewhere

Kimber: 8:49

Right.

Meghan: 8:50

do that.

Kimber: 8:50

that even like comes into play in just the integrity of our, in our friendships, like, You know, if I say that I'll do something and then I don't in just like casual life, that might be kind of laughed off as like, oh, I forgot, whatever. But like if I do that a lot in my relationship, like, oh, I'll text you back, or, oh, I'll bring this for you to borrow, or, oh, like let's do this. And then you never do any of those things. Your friendship is gonna feel that, right?

Meghan: 9:18

Yeah. Yeah.

Kimber: 9:19

it slowly erodes that trust in your word. I feel like. In regard to saying you'll pray, I feel like it has even more impact because then it's like, I feel like it erodes almost that trust in like your spiritual bond as friends. Like in being able to trust each other with your prayer requests and the things that are on your heart. If it's only ever lip service to. Those things of spiritual matters, then I feel like I would kind of stop trusting my friend as much with those things, cuz it would seem like it was just kind of, something they're saying. And so that is, also an important thing of it is like, you saying that we'll pray for our friends and actually doing it, can help to build spiritual intimacy even within our, within our

Meghan: 10:02

Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah, I agree. I wanna be that friend that when when they say, can you pray for me? Like Megan's gonna do it. Like, I wanna have that and it not be like a lip service. And I also think like, man, prayer, prayer is so powerful and it can like do so many things and it's pushing back the darkness and bringing in the Holy Spirit like it is. It is not something to just be flippant with of like, sure, I'll pray for you. Like, it's just a toss away. Like you are like standing in a gap for someone in that moment. Or like, there is such power in that and like, I don't wanna be someone that's just like, oh sure. It's just a little,

Kimber: 10:37

right.

Meghan: 10:37

little

Kimber: 10:37

Like throw up thing. Yeah.

Meghan: 10:40

Yes. Yeah. Like, this is serious. And, um, so I, I definitely wanna be that.

Kimber: 10:45

Yeah, I feel like the time when I started to really think about the importance of intercessory prayer, cuz again, I, I feel like I just grew up with it around me, like, oh yeah, you pray for each other. but as a kid I feel like I didn't really get. That, until, as an adult I learned about how Moses in, Exodus, how God is like so frustrated with Israel after the golden calf incident when he's literally like just brought them out of Egypt and. He's like, okay, I'm gonna make a covenant with you. Like, we're gonna get married, essentially. And then, you know, Moses goes up the mountain to do that, and then Israel's like, uh, 40 days is a long time. Let's do our own thing. And God's so frustrated with them that he's just like, you know what, I'm gonna start over. Like, I, like I'm done with you people. And Moses, he interceed for Israel. And he's like, no, no, no, no, God. Like, listen, these are your chosen people, like these are the people that you said you love. Like it would be against your character for you to do that. And God is like, yeah, okay. You're right. And he doesn't, he doesn't wipe out Israel. And like when I learned about that, Passage of scripture. I was just like, whoa. Like, God is moved by the prayers of his people. And like the other one that really got me, on that same kind of thing was with, Abraham and Sodom. Like, God's like I'm gonna destroy Sodom. And Abraham was like, wait, wait. If, if I could find like a hundred righteous people in the town, would you not destroy it? And he's like, yeah, I wouldn't destroy it. Like, and then Abraham's like, well, maybe that was optimistic. And he like keeps going down and down and down and eventually he gets to 10 and he is like, God, if I can find 10 righteous people, would you, would you spare the city? And he's like, yeah, I would. And then Abraham can't find 10 righteous people but he, he gets out his family, he gets out lot in his family and um, God does judge that town and destroy it, but it's like, God is very open to dialogue with his people and respond to their prayers, is what the narrative of scripture shows. And so, man, when I started learning about that, I was just, I was like, oh, like, you know, and it's such like a tension between what does prayer do? How does like, cuz it's not like a magic trick,

Meghan: 13:04

Right? Yes. Like, do I hold all the power or am I just praying to someone that's already made up their mind like, you

Kimber: 13:10

Right. It's like, what is that middle ground? And it's such a mystery. It is, but I think it's clear that it does move the heart of God.

Meghan: 13:18

Yeah. But I think it also shows obedience and that's like when the, with Abraham, like what he is like, I'm gonna be obedient, like I'm gonna follow through with what I said I'm gonna do, do the work. You know, and God's watching that of like, yes. So you're being obedient in that and like, I'm gonna find this righteous please and contending for that. And so I really think a lot of it is obedience and us doing. Being in the intercessor for our friends is really us showing obedience to God and our faithfulness to our friend of, I'm gonna stand here in the gap, you know, for you.

Kimber: 13:49

Because it is so relational, right? Because it's like I, you know, you mentioned that obedience because I feel like it's not so much about God, like, About God getting his way or something like that. It's like God wants a relationship with us. And so if that's like in the Moses example, like that relationship was broken with Israel and that's what he is upset about. Right? It wasn't so much about like, I mean the

Meghan: 14:12

He's like, guys, I literally put you through the middle of an ocean and you have already forgotten.

Kimber: 14:16

Oh man. And aren't we so like quick to

Meghan: 14:19

We're so like that

Kimber: 14:20

yeah, I'm like Israeli, you guys are dumb, but, but I know I do the same

Meghan: 14:25

but I'm the same way.

Kimber: 14:27

But it's like the one like Moses Abraham going to God and saying no, like I do prize that relationship with you and I am gonna lean into that relationship and like, wow, look how God honored that. Like inspiring the lives of people. And so I feel like that is so encouraging to me in my relationships. Like, you know, I can't control the situation necessarily, but like you said, I can. Obediently honor, like my relationship with God and talk to him about it. And I think that's what he, that's what he really wants. He wants us close with him. And so that's a way to, to draw

Meghan: 15:03

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And I, I love it. I feel like it's so much this like stake in the ground. Like I always just imagine when I think of intercessory prayer of wearing that armor of God and being like, and step, taking that step in front of your friend of like,

Kimber: 15:20

Yeah.

Meghan: 15:20

I got you. Like, I don't know, I feel like this warrior princess, like that's, honestly, it's probably a little dramatic, but that's kinda what I see as like this,

Kimber: 15:26

Yeah, no. One thing that I always think of, I always think of in, um, have you seen the Lord of the Rings?

Meghan: 15:33

Yes,

Kimber: 15:34

of the Rings person? Okay, so when Arwin Arwin has Frodo in the first. one, and actually, I, I read the books, but I slept through a lot of it. We listened to it on audio, so this might not be the best. But in the movie, um, Arwin has Frodo on her horse and she's like trying to get him to Rivendale to heal him cuz he's really sick. And these, these like, uh, riders are coming after them, which are very much like. Evil and you

Meghan: 15:58

evil and yes.

Kimber: 15:59

And she like crosses this river and draws her sword. And she's like, if you want him come and claim him. And I always think about that with ancestry prayer, because I feel like. You know, we are like, in battle, right? And we're like contending on behalf of our friends and like, listen, if you want them, you're gonna have to like

Meghan: 16:18

To go through me.

Kimber: 16:19

em. Right? And yet I love also though, like the way that I would adjust that image is that it's not just me like standing out in front of them, right? Like it's Jesus standing in front of us and then we get to like, Be like hiding behind him, but Like yeah. yeah. Like, you know, the, the little, the little sibling who's like kind of hiding and being tougher behind their, their big sibling who's they know is gonna really do the defending. But, I love that image because it reminds us that we're in a battle. and that, you know, it's not like Paul says, it's not the, you

Meghan: 16:55

against flesh and blood.

Kimber: 16:56

Yeah. It's the, the powers of the spiritual realm. And, and so I feel like that is one, one way that, you know, our ancestry prayer can feel more real to us, even like the impact of it. And when we think of it in those kind of terms, because we are so familiar. With like that dynamic of like, standing up for our friends, you know, standing up and defending our people.

Meghan: 17:18

Oh, I love that image. I love that scene and that I know exactly what you're talking about. Cause I'm like, I always get like, yes. Yeah, that's, it's so, yes, that's it. It's so true. Yeah. There is such a, Being able to stand in that gap for your friend and because there's times where I need someone to do that because I can't do it for myself. And so to have that person that's like, I'm, I'm praying this over you when I don't have the words for it, is like, like I know God's got me, but I know, you know, my friends. Like, I'll, you know, I'll say that. Um, so for those that don't know, like my mom has a, is going through ovarian cancer and it came back and this year and I kept telling people like, I literally felt like God, Like had me wrapped up in his arms, like I just was tucked into his chest. Like it was the craziest feeling of like the deepest heartbreak, but you're just like, but he's got me. But honestly, the second thing was just that there was just this army of people that, I mean, some that I didn't even know that I knew were praying for, for me, praying for my family. it got me through it. Like that's what really helped me through was knowing that there's people going on, on my behalf where, In the moment, like, I'm like, I can't, like God's just getting my tears. There's not a lot of words happening right now, but they're able to do that and it, I don't think I could have gotten through it,

Kimber: 18:36

Yeah. Right. That's such like the, beautiful picture of community,

Meghan: 18:41

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Kimber: 18:42

when we don't have the strength to hope or like the capacity to keep praying or the same prayer or just not even knowing, you know, what to say in those moments. To know that we have people around us who are. Who are saying those prayers because they do have the strength or they do have a little bit of distance, but they care about us so much. I think that that is so encouraging to know that we're not, it's not like just us in that

Meghan: 19:08

yeah. We're not right. We're not alone in that battle. Yeah. I love

Kimber: 19:13

I feel like, cuz I feel like, and I feel like part of that, I mean this idea of contending, like we talked about it before on the podcast here. Just this idea of like being in that long term kind of struggle. And I think we can be in this kind of, uh, a prayer walk when we're in like a hard season that isn't, Just like a one-off moment, but we're kind of, we're praying the same prayers and it just gets tiring. Right. And I feel like when we have friends who will walk. Along that long prayer journey with us of like contending for us in that battle. I feel like that can really help us to, to get through it. And I'm interested to hear also like as a friend, like when, if you're walking through that, of course, like you're gonna experience fatigue I think in that, in your prayer life. But I think when we're. Walking through these kind of things with our friends as well, we can experience that too, where it's just like, you know, like, I'm not seeing breakthrough. I'm not seeing change in their circumstances, but we, you know, how do we keep praying to the Lord? How do we keep contending, um, for our friends when like, the walk is long? Um, have you walked through long seasons like that with your people? How have you gotten through it?

Meghan: 20:25

Yeah. Um, I think leaning on each other, and I feel like God's been really gracious in those moments of when I'm, when I'm weak, they're able to kind of like, I got you. And then they're feeling it and we carry, um, you know, we've got friends that are walking through, Mar so marriage issues. We've got friends going through fertility issues, and there's just this. The season where it's just like wilderness and you're just this desert season.

Kimber: 20:51

Mm-hmm.

Meghan: 20:52

I think in those moments it's so easy to feel so far from God that those prayers are just like, where are you in that? And I feel like that's when it's so important that you have those close people in your life that are speaking God's truth to you over and over and over and over, because. I might not be hearing it for myself, but I, I need them to speak that. And, you know, and I, I'm kind of going through it with my family, you know, my family and our journey of like this long game of like, God, like

Kimber: 21:22

Hmm.

Meghan: 21:23

what is the purpose in this? Or what is, you know, and, um, it's hard not to question those things. Um, I don't know if I have like the magic answer for it, of just Knowing that I don't have, again, like not having to show up perfectly for God. That why? And like, God, this sucks.

Kimber: 21:43

Mm-hmm.

Meghan: 21:44

Like he wants that. He wants to hear that too, you know? And so the authentic, um,

Kimber: 21:50

One passage that really encourages me with this idea when I'm like walking a long road with a friend is, in Daniel 10, and it's like, it's when Daniel is like, he's had this vision and it's really stressful. Him out. And so he's like praying about it, praying, praying about it, and he's not like getting any answer. And then eventually an angel comes to him and is like, Daniel, like your prayer was heard from the first time you started praying about it. And we've been literally like battling in the heavenly realm. Against the forces of evil to come and like, give you an answer and re make, give you clarity. And he says like that they battled for 21 days against like the forces of evil to come and like, respond to Daniel who, who he is. Like, I mean, Daniel's like one of the, I would say preeminent examples of like a bold prayer and consistent prayer life in, in scripture and. And yet he even struggled in that way of feeling like he wasn't getting any answer and the fatigue of that. But then knowing that like, you know, God is already making arrangements to answer your request, even if you're not seeing that breakthrough and that there's like, you're battling like the forces of evil when

Meghan: 23:05

yeah, yeah, Yes. And I think, yeah, knowing that there's more going on behind the scenes than you. Let's see. And to trust God. Yeah. And then there's that verse. Um, I think it's second Chronicles. I couldn't give you the chapter or the, but the, the verse that says, if my people call on my name, I will hear their prayers and heal their land. And, you know, and it's, so, it's that reminder of just even calling on his name. Like there is, there's so much going on behind the scenes that they're not, it's not just falling into. The space and just floating up there, like he hears them and he has them, you know, he is got your tears in a bottle. Um, they're, they're nothing, no words you say to them are going to waste are all being used. And it's that open-handed trust that God always answers our prayers. It's just, is it a yes, a no or a not yet,

Kimber: 23:58

Right. Right. I love too that this can be such an opportunity, I think, to grow, your relationship with people, like with your friends because like, man, the friendships that, like I've walked through, where we are sharing our hardest prayers and stuff with each other and we know that like we're praying for each other or we're doing that in person, like around those people. I feel like it just, it deepens your friendship when you're actively praying for each other. Especially when I think you don't see the answers always right away because like you're like, okay, we're in the trench together. Or like, you know, friend, I know this is your trench, but like, I'm here with you. You know? And I'm gonna sit in it even if it takes a long time. Because I think that sticking with someone in prayer, through that long. Wilderness season, like you said, that just demonstrates the veracity of your friendship. Um, and so I think that that can be like a gift to people as well. and I know that that has blessed me when I've experienced that by friends as well.

Meghan: 25:04

100%. Yeah. We're not alone in the foxhole. Like, I've got your back.

Kimber: 25:07

Yeah,

Meghan: 25:07

You know? Yeah.

Kimber: 25:09

Well, as we're like thinking of, that's kind of like, you know, as I'm walking this, I see the importance of being a friend who is authentically interceding for the people in my life. You know, not just saying like, I'll pray for you, but actually doing it and like doing that over the long haul even. Um, what do you think that are some characteristics of friends who pray and are interceding for your people? That like when we see someone doing that, We can like take note and consider like leaning into those friendships more like what should we be watching for here?

Meghan: 25:43

Yeah. Well, I think the people, I think I said last podcast, a episode of just that are being public about it, of like, let's stop and pray. And they're showing that, um, I think, asking for prayer, so not just waiting for someone to say, pray for you, but like, Hey, could you pray for me? I think also it's that giving and receiving aspect of like opening yourself up to that too, of if they're willing to be vulnerable. And ask for prayer, like they're probably wanting to also receive that. Um, so, so I think that's such a great two-way street. And I mean, and just like some practical things, like I have a friend who we have, we call it, um, actually have two friends we're doing it with now, but my one friend we started, it's a purple, the Purple Heart emoji

Kimber: 26:26

Yes.

Meghan: 26:27

and

Kimber: 26:27

We've talked about that before on here. I feel like that was, was that an Alley Bear original?

Meghan: 26:32

Yes. It was an Alley bear. Alley Bear, Megan Original

Kimber: 26:35

listening if you have it. If you don't know what we're talking about, go back and listen to, I wanna say it was like episode 30 or so, maybe I talked with Allie. I don't know if that's right. It's very ballpark, but Allie Bear, share your pain. Um, and she talks about this idea of the Purple heart. It's basically

Meghan: 26:52

Oh, funny. Yeah, we started, yeah, her and I started that Sending Purple Hearts to each

Kimber: 26:55

Yeah. Oh, then it's a, it's a Megan

Meghan: 26:58

It's a Megan and Allie

Kimber: 26:59

I love it She shared that with us

Meghan: 27:02

oh,

Kimber: 27:02

in that episode, so that's where I've heard of it. Yeah.

Meghan: 27:05

Okay. Yes. And so we started that with like, sometimes we just need prayer, but we don't have the time or really like the capacity to maybe go into details. So it was like, it's like the SOS of like, when I see a Purple Heart, I know exact like, Pray. I might not know the situation or the like background, but I know she just needs prayer. And so, and um, and actually another friend I was telling her about it cuz she's like, I was going through some things and I'm like, she's like, I just have a hard time reaching out. And I'm like, you know, you could just send me a heart. I was like, my friend, I do a purple heart. She goes, well can I do yellow? And I'm like, heck yes. So now I've got like yellow

Kimber: 27:41

You gotta keep the color straight though.

Meghan: 27:42

I know my colors say like, who is it? Um, like, so she sends me Yellow Hearts and it's that, and I, and we just text back like, I'm praying for you and we

Kimber: 27:52

Yes. Yes. I love that because it's so true that sometimes you don't wanna go into it. And I actually had a friend text me, uh, just last night and she was like, Hey, can you pray for me? I'll tell you later, but I, I just, I'm too emotional to get into it

Meghan: 28:07

Oh

Kimber: 28:07

And, um, One, I will just admit it was really hard for me not to be like, are you okay? What's wrong? What's going on? But like to just trust like her and trust the Lord with that. And just, it was honestly a great opportunity to practice. just like trusting God with and like with not knowing everything and really seeing like prayer as. The best thing that I could do in that moment for her, you know, even if it wasn't giving me more information. and so I love that that can be like, it's sometimes hard to ask for that or to want to go into all of it. And so I love having that system. And the most important thing that I would say with that is friends, you can't just like think that's a cool system and then wish that people would do that with you. You have to say to someone, can this be our system? Right? So, If you want someone who will do that with you, you need to text them right now and say, can we make this a thing? And then it'll be a thing. Right. Um, because

Meghan: 29:07

Yep. And the rule is, the rule is no questions unless they choose to go into it.

Kimber: 29:12

Yeah. I love that.

Meghan: 29:13

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And that's been

Kimber: 29:15

such a great tool. That's so good. Well, Megan, as we are wrapping up our conversation today, um, last week we started doing this. It is just a way to like, help us put this stuff that we're talking about into practice in some small ways in our lives because it's like an. A great thing to say, oh, I wanna grow in my prayer life. I wanna be someone who prays for my friends and then walk away and not change anything. And so, um, last week we started talking about just like a small challenge that we could take away from our conversation to help us start putting these things into practice in our relationships that we already have. so last week we talked about with prayer, you know, how our relationship with God, can be impacted by that. Do you remember what our two challenges were? Can you refresh

Meghan: 29:59

Yes. Yes. So go to God before you take it to others, and then writing your prayers down.

Kimber: 30:06

Yes. So that you can go back and look back at them. So friends, if you forgot about our challenge last week and you didn't do it, go try do it this week. And if you did that, man, we would love to, maybe you can come share on social media somewhere on one of my posts, um, about how that blessed you. Um, if you did try that, um, we would love to hear that and tag Megan,

Meghan: 30:27

Yes. I

Kimber: 30:28

you do it cuz we would we would love to hear how that was blessing you. but what is our challenge for this week? With Ancestry. Prayering

Meghan: 30:34

this week it is texting or calling to friends and asking them how you can pray for them.

Kimber: 30:41

Oh, I love

Meghan: 30:42

Yeah, so ask how and then, and then following up. So text a friend, Hey, you know, you were just, and pray about it. Pray about who you think God's putting on your heart to text. Text those people or give'em a call. How can I pray for you? And then follow up with them. Like if they're saying, I've got a doctor's appointment next Monday, or, and I'm nervous about it Monday

Kimber: 31:03

Mm-hmm.

Meghan: 31:03

an alarm follow up. How was I've been praying

Kimber: 31:07

I love that because, and that was something that, um, I forgot about it, but now I've remembered when we were talking about, you know, just like what we can look for and people, people who follow up with me when they've. Like pray when they've been praying about something. Um, man, that blesses me so much. I like, it's just, it's wonderful. It just like reaffirms that one they did pray, which is just encouraging to hear, but also that, they really had it on their hearts. Like it wasn't just a sentiment, I think is what that

Meghan: 31:35

Yes.

Kimber: 31:36

me. And so I love that idea of following up.

Meghan: 31:38

Yes, absolutely that. Yeah. How'd that go? How was, or how'd that situation pan out? Or, you know, whatever. So, yep. So text two friends, how you can pray for them. And you know what, you might even get blessed if they're gonna ask, how can I pray for you?

Kimber: 31:48

Yes. Oh, I love it. Such a good idea. Well, thanks so much, Megan for that challenge. friends, it is your time now to go and be that friend that you're really looking for in your lives. thanks so much for hanging out with us

Meghan: 32:02

Yes, girl. Yeah, it was awesome. We'll see you later.

Kimber: 32:10

Friends. I'm so glad you joined me and Megan on the show this week. I'm so thankful we have a God whose heart is moved by the prayers of his people and that he designed us to be able to support each other through the powerful avenue of prayer. Friends. If you are loving this series so far, will you share it with a friend this week? It's my biggest prayer out of this series that you would take these conversations to your own friend circles. I don't let the talk stop here. And a great way to do that is to share the podcast and then talk about it after you've both listened. Don't forget to take Megan's challenge this week and start the conversation by asking a friend how you can be praying for her this week, and then following up. And remember the best way to stay connected with this community is by joining my newsletter crew. All you have to do is visit your sister kimber.com to subscribe. Then you'll get my weekly newsletter directly to your email inbox each Tuesday. With a preview of what will be featured on the podcast that week. I also like to include a practical tip for you to try for that week and some other resources to help you grow friendships, the honor, God, and draw closer to Jesus. Friends. Thank you so much for being part of this community until next time. It's your sister Kimber.