I recently had the opportunity to work several shifts in a row….something that doesn’t happen very often and actually never in the amount that I put in this past stretch! In my field, I am blessed with the opportunity to care for others- specifically infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. With this past stretch of days, I cared for the same 3 babies and I was reminded of how attached you can get when caring for these precious souls day after day. People often ask how us “NICU” nurses how we do it. The only way I know how to answer that is -we just do! It comes very natural to us- especially when most of us stay in the same unit for many years.
I have to say that the hardest part of my job isn’t necessarily being witness to the physical trials and tribulations these babies go through. Most of them end up doing just fine and it is a blessing to watch them become a gift to their parents as they carry them out of the hospital doors and into the real world. The hardest tug on my heart is actually the social situations that often accompany many of these babes. The one going through drug withdrawal as they were exposed in the mother’s womb the entire pregnancy, the young teen parents who have no idea how much their world has just been altered, the abusive relationships that warrant CPS to get involved prior to allowing the baby to go home, the single mom who has to figure out not only how she is going to care for herself- but this child now going home with special needs….I could go on and on.
I say all of this because I was reminded after bonding with these 3 babies, that the power of prayer may be the greatest gift I have to offer them. It is when I hold these precious lives in my arms, that I have the opportunity to pray over them and simply trust their Heavenly Father to carry them into these situations with His loving hand. Although I don’t have any more control over their situations than utter words, I know that the One who loves them more than me- does. He has the power to change their circumstances and I may be the only one in their life to offer up that request to Him.
As believers, I believe we are called to pray for those who cannot pray for themselves. Those who don’t know any better, those who have never been introduced to their Maker, and even those who may have turned their backs on Him- we need to offer them up in prayer and love them just as Jesus would- with our actions, our words, and our prayers. The Bible says that the Lord hears the prayers of the righteous, and I feel so blessed to be called one of His own!! We need to fight for the unseen battle that is going on every day, and the enemy would like nothing more than for us to go on grumbling with so many others about how hopeless our world is and how helpless we are to change any of it. This is a lie!! The One who lives in us is greater than he who is in the world, and we need to lift up all of those along our paths in prayer, and believe that although we may not have the power to change things, the God of the Universe does!
With Love- April
James 5:16- Therefore, confess your sins to each ther and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
1 John 4:4- You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Absolutely loved this entry.
Beautiful thoughts on the power of prayer to influence others and entrust them to the Father’s care. I am praying for an estranged sister who has distanced herself from me and another sibling. It hurts to be unable to contact her through phone or e-mail as she never responds and seems indifferent about my situation. We live in different states. She is in Texas and I’m in California. I have a trip in May to go to Texas and see my sisters. I am praying for reconciliation with her and trust the Lord will provide a way to repair this relationship.