THE UNSUNG HERO

Last year, the company where my husband works took the initiative of awarding its employees in different categories: the best manager, the most innovative engineer, etc. My husband received a very particular award, the “unsung hero award.”  It was a way to thank him for the constant support he provides for his colleagues and the time he invests in helping them to achieve their goals. He helps others with sincerity and without showing off. Needless to say, when he got that award, I felt extremely proud of him.  I was also pleased to see that his department valued his personal qualities and not just his performance.   

That award made me think of another person who I also consider an unsung hero: one of my husband's aunts. Last weekend his aunts traveled from different parts of the country to spend time together. They do it every year. While they were having coffee, there was a spontaneous time where each one began to remember the legacy of their parents and how much they taught them about life and faith. They also talked about their desire to leave a lasting mark on their children's lives.

The story that moved me the most was that of Aunt Sandra. She humbly asked for the word and took out some yellowed and wrinkled pages from her notebook. She then explained to the group about her prayer routine. Every day, as the morning dawns, set aside a long time to talk with God. During that time she talks to him, sings to him and then reads aloud what she has written down on those old pages. It is a personalized prayer for each of her children and grandchildren; with specific promises and blessings for each one. She took some Bible verses and personalized them with the names of her children and grandchildren.  Without fail, every morning, this beautiful woman rises like a warrior and declares specific blessings upon her family.  Her grandchildren may not realize that their well-being is linked to their grandmother's daily prayers, but it is.  For me, she is also an “unsung hero.” 

Prayer has so much power that perhaps it will be until we reach heaven that we will discover the incalculable and transformative influence it had on our lives.  However, God invites us to pray here and now. In fact, he tells us that we should: “Pray continually.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV.

He also tells us many other things about prayer:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7 NIV

Call to me and I will answer you…

Jeremiah 33:3 NIV

 If you have faith when you pray, you will be given whatever you ask for.

Matthew 21:22 CEV

And if we know God listens when we pray,  we are sure our prayers have already been answered. 1 John 5:15 CEV

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14 NIV

What if we decided to take God at his word and believe without a doubt that every time we pray He hears us, and our prayers are never in vain?

Let us be “unsung heroes” and, without making any show, let’s close the door of our room and take some time to bless our family, our country and anyone who comes to mind. I am convinced that the prayers of thousands of “unsung heroes” will impact our world so in need of hope. 

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:6 NLT

Lord, thank you for hearing my prayers. Praying is nothing more than talking to you. I want to get closer to you more and more every day. Thank you for that safe place in your presence where I can talk to you about my problems and pray for those I love. Thank you for the unshakable promises you give me when you tell me that you not only hear my prayer, but that you answer me. I love you Lord.

© Astrid Gale

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