The other morning, as I was sitting in my favorite comfy chair, drinking my coffee and reading my Bible, the sound of a siren racing down the street caused me to stop and say a quick prayer for all involved in whatever was going on. I realized that I didn’t really think about it, I just automatically paused and prayed. It made me wonder why I do that.
My boys were very fortunate to be able to attend a private Christian school from their preschool years until middle school. Please don’t make any assumptions about our financial status at that time. I worked as a preschool teacher at the school so we got a substantial discount! Just keeping it real!
I was, and always will be, so thankful for that time. They each had wonderful, Christian teachers who loved on them and showed them Jesus every day. I’m not sure how many lessons they still remember from those days, but I know I learned one that is still with me all these years later.
When the boys were in kindergarten, they both had the same teacher, two years apart. Mrs Warner was exactly the kindergarten teacher my boys needed! They loved her! I loved her too! She was calm, had high expectations for all her students and she always found ways to make sure the children knew they were loved – by her and, most importantly, by Jesus.
One of the lessons that all her classes learned was the art of the arrow prayer. The school was situated on the corner of a street that was the direct route to our local hospital. Mrs Warner’s classroom was the closest one to the street. Rarely a day went by without an ambulance or two screeching down the road on their way to saving lives. I’m not sure if one day a child was upset by the sirens and that’s where arrow praying came from, but I do know that Mrs Warner was able to use a potentially scary moment for a 4 or 5 year old and turn it into a teachable moment about our responsibility as Christians.
Every time a siren could be heard, the entire class would stop what they were doing and simply pray. They would pray for the people in the ambulance and the driver transporting them to get the care they needed. They prayed for the firemen and policemen putting their lives on the line for the sake of others. It was never a long prayer; and sometimes, there wasn’t any bowing of heads and folding of hands. But there was always a request for God to be in the situation, whatever it was.
The first time I learned of arrow prayers, the boys and I were driving somewhere and a firetruck went squealing past us. Both boys yelled out, “Arrow prayer!” and quickly asked God to protect the firemen. I asked them what an “Arrow Prayer” was. My oldest, very matter-of-factly, told me it was a prayer you send to someone who is in the middle of an emergency. They may not be able to pray for themselves, so you do it for them!
I loved it! I was in awe of the simplicity of it and the way my boys so easily embraced it. From then on, every time we heard a siren, even if we didn’t see it, we would pause and send a quick prayer in the direction of the sound.
Even today, every time I hear any kind of siren, I stop what I’m doing and pray. I pray for the families involved and for God to calm the fears they were feeling. I pray for wisdom for the EMT’s, the doctors and nurses who will eventually be involved in whatever care will be required. I pray for the person who’s life is potentially changed forever due to the emergency they are living through. I pray for the protection of the firefighters and the policemen and women as they go about doing the business of a career that is really more of a calling.
I don’t believe I will ever stop sending arrow prayers. First, I believe that God uses my prayers in all situations. Second, I want to be able to pray for those who may not be able to; whether due to their health situation or their lack of belief in a God who loves them. And most importantly, I will always send arrow prayers because God uses the reminder to pray as a way to keep me focused on His great power. When I’m so caught up in my own stuff, I could miss the pain of someone in the car next to me as I drive to the store; my self-centeredness can keep me from thinking I have anything to offer anyone. But when I hear a siren, God reminds me that He can use my simple, arrow prayers to make a difference for His kingdom.
And when I think of all the students Mrs Warner has had over the years, all the families of those students, that have all learned the art of the arrow prayer, I can’t help but be reminded that God says where two or more of us are gathered, He is there! Our prayers can literally send God’s holy presence to those that need it most!
So maybe the next time you hear a siren rush by you’ll be reminded to pray. Remember, God calls His people to pray – always and for everything! Wouldn’t it be awesome if we all became arrows in God’s miraculous quiver that He can use to send His blessing and healing to those in need! I’m in, how about you?
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. – Ephesians 6:18
