Praying With Feeling

In the TV series, Christy, based on the book by Catherine Marshall, there is a powerful scene.
It is a scene that touches on race relations and the idea of acceptance.
The characters of Haddie McCabe and Daniel Scott forged an unlikely friendship.
Haddie was white and Daniel was black in the early 1900’s in the backwoods of Tennessee.

Haddie was also blind due to an disease that tended to affect the mountain people.
Daniel stayed on the outskirts of the Cove since he was different than everyone else.
The residents of the Cove did not welcome Daniel, who was in Cutter Gap to learn to be a doctor.
He wanted to be under the tutelage of Dr. Mac Neill so he could learn to treat his own people.

One day while Daniel was hunting, Haddie heard him in the woods.
She recognized his footsteps and called to him to come to her.
Daniel hesitated as he approached her cabin, but quickly realized that she was blind.
I’m setting my table and I always set some extra food for my critters; will you join me?

This was the first real invitation Daniel has received.
Except for the people at the mission, this was the first person who was kind to him.
I always like to feel the people I’m praying with, Haddie said as she grabbed Daniel’s hands.
Daniel’s dark skin and Haddie’s white skin joined hands in prayer.

Birdseye Taylor, one of the residents of the Cove, saw the two of them together.
After Daniel left, Birdseye warned Haddie about him.
You didn’t know that he was black as midnight, Birdseye informed her.
Mr. Taylor, did it ever occur to you that I don’t know what color YOU are? Haddie answered.

I have never forgotten that scene.
Daniel skirted around the outskirts of the camp trying to remain invisible.
Yet, here in Haddie’s mountain cabin he was accepted.
He was accepted as a person without any consideration of his color.

I thought of that scene as I had a friend over for tea.
She offered to pray before we ate and she grabbed my hand.
As she prayed so beautifully, I felt the beat of her heart through her fingertips.
Our two hearts were knitted together in prayer and beating together in our hands.

I always like to feel the people I’m praying with.
Haddie’s words echoed in my ear.
Is this what she meant?
The beating of two hearts joined together in prayer.

The actual, physical beating heart is colorblind.
Whether our skin is white, or black, or yellow, or tan, our hearts are the same color.
Our hearts are in the same place in our chests.
Our hearts are made by the same God.

My friend prayed about our hearts being knitted together in Christ.
As she said those words, I could feel her pulse in her fingertips.
Two hearts who love the Lord coming together in prayer.
I always like to feel the people I’m praying with.

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.” Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’ Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:1-10)

Persistence in prayer is something God the Father cherishes.
It is asking God according to His will, knowing you are heard, and He will answer.
Prayer is grabbing on to God’s Hands and feeling His heart beat with yours.
I always like to feel the people I’m praying with.

Prayer is heart to heart conversation with God.
Prayer is feeling His palpable presence.
Prayer is simply talking to God.
However, like any good conversation, listening must happen as well.

When Daniel Scott finally got up the nerve to tell Haddie that he was black, she smiled.
Birdseye told me that you are as black as midnight, she said holding his arm as they walked.
Midnight is such a peaceful, quiet time, Haddie said slowly and deliberately.
I’ve always liked it, she added.

Daniel realized that Miss Haddie was the only one who really saw him.
Miss Haddie saw Daniel with her heart.
Hearts knitted together, heartbeat to heartbeat.
I always like to feel the people I’m praying with.

Lord, teach us to pray like Miss Haddie.