One of the most profound lessons on prayer I ever witnessed took place in the middle of a service at Mercer Island Covenant Church back when I was in college ’80 or ’81.  I always enjoyed Pastor Bud’s sermons, and in personal conversation he had blessed me with some very good insight that was enormously helpful in getting through a hard situation.

On this particular Sunday, in the middle of his sermon, the still of the sanctuary was suddenly pierced by the growing wail of several emergency vehicles.  As they drew nearer, they drowned out Pastor’s voice, so he stopped speaking and waited for their sirens to finish passing.  As the last of the sound died away, he bowed his head and quietly said, “Lord, those sirens mean there is a need.  Please meet that need.”  Raising his head, he proceeded with his sermon as if there had never been an interruption.  For me, though, that “interruption” was the sermon.

There are two particular lessons I took from the episode.  1. Pastor let events of the moment move him in the moment.  It is easy to witness something and intend to pray about it later, but then forget.  Don’t let opportunities pass you by.  2.  The prayer was simple and short.  Pastor didn’t know anything about the situation.  I don’t remember for sure if we could even tell exactly which kind of emergency vehicles they were that went by.  It was enough that God knew the details.

Ever since that day, I have continued the same prayer when I see or hear emergency vehicles, and I find there are many other opportunities for such ‘telegram’ prayers.  See a police car?   Pray, “Lord, protect them” or “Lord, let them act justly”.  Pray safety for a fire truck or ambulance.  Going by a school, pray that truth would be taught, that Christian students and teachers would be lights, that all would be protected.  By City Hall?  “Let integrity guide them.”  By a grocery store?  Say, “Lord, thank you for the abundance of food in this country!”  Being aware of these opportunities for prayer as we go about our business is one way to help keep the conversation with God going all day.

May we be ever alert for those situations where we, too, can interrupt our day to say, “Lord, please meet that need!”