SURGICALLY
ASSISTING PRAYER
Topics: Calling; Community; Evangelism; Great Commission; Guidance; Outreach; Passion; Testimony; Vocation
References: Matthew 9:10–13; 28:18–20; Mark 2:17; Luke 19:10; Ephesians 6:6–8, 18; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; 1 Timothy 2:8; 1 John 5:14–15
I am a surgical assistant—the surgeon’s right-hand man. At one point in my career, I lost my passion. I wanted a job with spiritual significance, and I prayed for that. Imagine my shock when God led me to a position in plastic surgery. Why would God want me in a hotbed of vanity? I wondered.
During my quiet times, the Lord assured me that this was part of his plan and that I should wait for his direction. So I obeyed, continuing to pray that the Lord would use me in this job.
The first directive when I started my new position was “Gather and pray in my name.” There were only a few Christians who worked in the plastic surgery department, but I started with them. “I’m going to start praying for our workplace each Monday, fifteen minutes before we clock in,” I told them. “I’ll be in Operating Room 2, and I hope you will join me.”
We met each week, praying for our work, our colleagues, and our patients. Soon we were praying boldly for opportunities to witness. By the end of that year, God had answered many prayers, which included ten friends who accepted Christ as their Savior!
God has given me a purpose far beyond patient care. He expanded my circle of influence by transferring me to the main surgery department, where I now rotate through all four departments in the hospital campus. I have started several prayer groups throughout the hospital. Each group focuses on inviting the Holy Spirit to move in their department. We encourage each other in Christ, pray for opportunities to witness, seek God’s will, and ask that Christ be glorified in our work.
Since I realized that I could advance the kingdom of God through praying at work, I have found renewed passion for my job, as well as for the opportunities for ministry it provides.
—Brandon A. Bradley, “Prayer at Work: Surgical Assistant,” Pray! (July–August 2006)