PRAYER Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was so eager to get in touch with the people of his country that he gave his personal mobile phone number out during a speech, and urged ordinary Indonesians to contact him directly with any complaints about the government's administration. The Indonesian people took him at his word. In four days, his phone line crashed because constituents had sent over 15,000 text messages and thousands of phone calls. The President is not giving up on getting direct feedback from the people. He immediately set up a new hotline. Critics say they do not expect the hotline to change much, because there will still be disappointment in the process. They say the hotline is a ploy to gauge public support for the President. One Presidential aide insists the hotline is about making sure public service is being done. Whether or not the new hotline policy will really institute change is yet to be seen, but other provincial leaders are following the President's lead. One Indonesian citizen named Wempi likes the new openness. He said, "We know that the President is busy with state matters but we, the small people, also deserve his attention." —http://www.channelnewsasis.com, Indonesian president creates new hotline after cell phone crashed, June 16, 2005. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. No one person could handle the concerns of millions of people, but God can. Psalms 119:149 (NASB) "Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances." ________________________________________ PRAYER More Americans pray about health issues than money problems. According to a Newsweek Poll, 70% of Americans say that they often pray for the health of a family member, while only 27% pray for financial or career success. —Newsweek, November 10, 2003, p. 48-49. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson James 5:13-16 (HCSB) "Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. [14] Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. [15] The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. [16] Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful." ________________________________________ PRAYER A lack of rainfall over portions of the American heartland has created drought conditions and a high risk of fire. The governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee, who is also a Baptist minister, decided to ask the citizens of the state to do something about the dry conditions. He asked Arkansans to pray for rain and to keep praying for the wet stuff. The day after the governor issued his proclamation the state received some moisture. The Governor said he didn't think his call for prayer was responsible, saying his call was for long-term prayer, not just one day. Huckabee said, "We don't need it this one day. We need a sustained rain." He added, "We really do not sustained and prolonged rain... not Noah and the flood-type of rain... all in 40 days, but we would like seriously to hope and pray for significant rainfall over the next few months to try to get us back up to normal levels." —http://www.arkansanews.com/archive, More rain needed, governor says, urging continued prayer, January 11, 2006. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. Colossians 4:2 (NKJV) "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;" ________________________________________ PRAYER Actor Stephen Baldwin says Tom Cruise is on the list of celebrities he prays for on a regular basis. Baldwin and Cruise starred together in the 1989 motion picture Born on the Fourth of July. Baldwin says Cruise is a "very different guy" from the person he knew then. He said, "That regular Joe quality seems to have been lost. When you buy enough of your own hype, then it's not who you are anymore." Baldwin added, "I'd love to break bread with him and pray with him, and I'd love for the Holy Spirit of God to reveal the truth to him." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14626179/. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. Ephesians 6:18 (CEV) "Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people." ________________________________________ PRAYER When Bill Lacovara and his son Rocky went fishing recently, they caught more than they bargained for. They spotted a flowered plastic shopping bag floating in the water and waded out to retrieve it. Inside they found 300 letters sent to New Jersey minister, containing prayer requests. Many of the letters were addressed to the minister, while many more said "Altar," leading Lacovara to believe that the letters were intended to be placed on the altar of a church and prayed over by the minister and congregation. Lacovara learned the minister died two years ago, but has no idea how the letters wound up in the ocean. He speculates someone might have been cleaning the minister's old home. Instead of just throwing the letters away, they may have decided to send them out to sea in order to bless those who had made the requests. The requests dating back as far as 1973 covered a large range of concerns. The majority asked for God's help in personal problems or for forgiveness. Lacovara said most of the letters were unopened. He said, "This is just a hint of what really happens. How many letters like this all over the world aren't being opened or answered?" —http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061103/ap_on_re_us/unanswered_prayers_7; Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. Letters containing prayer requests may go unanswered, but God answers all prayers. 1 John 5:14-15 (GW) "We are confident that God listens to us if we ask for anything that has his approval. [15] We know that he listens to our requests. So we know that we already have what we ask him for." ________________________________________ PRAYER Speaking at a church in Florida about his new book, Prayer: Does it Make any Difference? author Phillip Yancey, said, God does not want pretty prayers. Instead, He wants people to pour their hearts out and talk to Him like they would talk to a close friend. Yancey said while researching his book, he read other books on prayer. He says many of them were preachy and made ordinary people feel inadequate. Yancey wanted to write a book about prayer that didn't make people feel inferior. Yancey said prayer is not meant to eliminate suffering nor impress God. In the Bible, He found examples of prayers that changed God's decisions, and others that changed the person praying. Yancey said the most important thing he learned writing on prayer is that prayer is not a chore like calisthenics. He said, "I used to think if I did it long enough and right enough, that God would approve." He added, "I came to see prayer as more of a spiritual privilege. Prayer is an essential part of doing God's work in the world." —St. Petersburg Times, December 6, 2006. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. Psalms 86:4-6 (CEV) "Make my heart glad! I serve you, and my prayer is sincere. [5] You willingly forgive, and your love is always there for those who pray to you. [6] Please listen, Lord! Answer my prayer for help." ________________________________________ PRAYER Does God answer prayer? Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning says he sought divine intervention in the AFC Championship game between the Colt and New England Patriots, just before the Patriots began the final drive of the game. Shortly thereafter, the game ended with an interception thrown by Tom Brady, handing the victory to Indianapolis. After the Colt's 38-34 victory earned them a trip to Super Bowl XLI in Miami, Manning told reporters, "I said a little prayer on that last drive. I don't know if you're supposed to pray for stuff like that, but I said a little prayer." Colts team chaplain Ken Johnson said he was "praying feverishly" during the game, and believes divine intervention played a role in the outcome. Johnson said "I do believe God is up in heaven looking down on this game. God is concerned about his people and the things his people are concerned about here." —http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5981704&nav=menu35_1. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 1 John 5:14-15 (CEV) "We are certain that God will hear our prayers when we ask for what pleases him. [15] And if we know that God listens when we pray, we are sure that our prayers have already been answered." ________________________________________ PRAYER Everything is computerized these days—even running shoes! Hoping to impact the sneaker industry, Adidas plans to introduce what it calls the world's first computerized "smart shoe." The company says the new shoe will automatically and continually adjust itself to a runner's individual size, pace, and fatigue level, as well as adapt to changes in the terrain around it. The new computerized running shoe uses a sensor, a microprocessor, and a motorized cable system to keep up with the changing needs of the wearer. The sensor under the heel measures compression and decides whether the shoe is too soft or too firm. The information is sent to the processor, and while the shoe is in the air, the cable adjusts the heel cushion. The whole system weighs less than 40 grams and includes a replaceable lithium battery estimated to be good for 100 hours of running. Users can turn the shoe's brain off to conserve the batteries. The chip also shuts itself off if a runner walks for more than ten minutes. The computerized running shoes are expected to sell for about $250 a pair. —http://usatoday, Adidas puts computer on new footing, March 2, 2005. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. This computer chip can respond to a runner's needs, providing a custom experience for the exercise session. Today, consumers have come to expect manufacturers to respond to their needs, now they will have the response in real time with a shoe that morphs as it is being used. To a much greater measure, that is the kind of experience Christians have enjoyed for years in their relationships with God. Not only did God make us, but He knows us individually and is prepared to meet our needs, all we have to do is ask. Matthew 6:8 (TEV) "...Your Father already knows what you need before you ask him." ________________________________________ PRAYER Years of drought have left portions of western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming parched. Residents of the area are so concerned about the lack of rain that they are turning to God for help. Sixty people attended a 45-minute prayer session in Torrington, Wyoming recently, and they plan to pray together again next month. Dean Kenner who helped organize the prayer meeting, farms 600 acres of sugar beets, alfalfa, corn, beans, and sunflowers near Mitchell, Nebraska. He said, "It shows our dependence on God." He added, "We want to show unity as people, not just as church or just farmers, not as any one group. We are all in this together and it is time to come together, no matter what denomination or walk of life, and recognize God as our source of strength and pray for rain." Some parts of western Nebraska have seen some rain recently, but Kenner says they need a lot more moisture. He has set his sights on the depth of the need, saying, "Our prayer is not just for more rain. Our prayer is for the reservoirs to fill and get us out of this drought." —Associated Press, Neb. Panhandle Residents Pray for Rain, April 12, 2005. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV) "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us," ________________________________________ PRAYER According to Newsweek Magazine, "80% of Americans think that praying for the sick improves their chances of recovery." —Newsweek, Nov 10, 2003, p. 46. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson James 5:14 (NASB) "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;" ________________________________________ PRAYER We've all heard of the boy who cried wolf, but have you heard about the television set that was sending out a distress signal? A contingent of local police, civil air patrol, and search and rescue personnel visited 20 year-old Chris van Rossman at his Corvallis, Oregon apartment. They were seeking the source of an emergency signal that had been received by satellite. Authorities had expected to find a boat or small plane with a malfunctioning emergency locator transponder emitting the international distress signal at 121.5 MHz. They were surprised to find that Rossman's television set was sending the distress signal that had been picked up by satellite and routed to the Air Force Rescue Center in Langley Air Base in Virginia. Rossman was told to keep his television turned off in order to avoid paying a $10,000 fine for "willingly broadcasting a false distress signal." Rossman said, "They'd never seen signal come that strong from a home appliance. They were quite surprised. I think we all were."The manufacturer of the television offered Rossman a replacement set so he won't miss any of his favorite programs. —Reuters, TV Emits Distress Signal, Triggers Search, October 19, 2004. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. Just as these officials responded to the distress signal, God responds to ours. He hears us. He cares about us and He answers our prayers. Isaiah 58:9 (NLT) Then when you call, the Lord will answer. 'Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply. ________________________________________ PRAYER In "The Servant Leader: Transforming Your Heart, Head, Hands & Habits", Blanchard and Hodges write, "Just suppose prayer was your first response instead of your last resort when facing a new challenge or an old temptation." —"The Servant Leader", p. 91. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSB) "Don't worry about anything,
but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your
requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses
every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
PRAYER WALK Baptist ministers don’t normally perform last rites for the dying nor do they offer prayers for the dead. Pastor Fred Raney recently spent two weeks walking the wooded areas of East Texas, reading Scripture and praying over the recovered remains of each of the astronauts from the space shuttle Columbia. Raney is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Hemphill, Texas. He also served as a chaplain for the workers who recovered the remains of the Columbia crewmembers. Raney says his goal was to treat the deceased with dignity and provide comfort for those left behind. He says, “My main purpose in going was to be able to let the families know we were there for the people they loved—that we remembered them and honored them.” Once Raney was assigned as a chaplain to the team recovering the remains of the crew, he prayed that all seven crewmembers would be found. Raney feels God worked a miracle. He says, “First, it was a miracle that no one on the ground was injured when the debris fell. Then it was a miracle that we were able to recover all the astronauts.” Raney adds, “God used this event to touch lives. Even though I already knew it, it brought home to me that life is like a vapor—literally. It caused people to search their hearts and examine their faith—to think about life and about eternal life.” The executive director of the Baptist General Convention, Charles Wade says Raney acted as the Holy Spirit, allowing the presence of Christ “ to transform a scene of suffering into holy ground. “ —Associated Baptist Press, Pastor walks Texas woods to pray over remains of Columbia crew, by Ken Camp. March 6, 2003. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. Psalm 34:18 NIV “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
________________________________________ PRAYER A new display at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington D.C. contains letters written to the President by children. The letters include a note from a young girl who wanted to keep her father home during World War II, young women who wanted the army to save Elvis Presley's sideburns, and a young man seeking federal help to keep his room clean. Each of the young people made their requests to the one person they thought could make those things happen: the President of the United States. President George W. Bush mentioned one of the letters when he eulogized former president Ronald Reagan. He told about seventh-grader Andy Smith of Irmo, South Carolina, who sought President Reagan's help after his mother declared his bedroom a "disaster area." In a neatly typed note, Andy wrote, "I would like to request federal funds to hire a crew to clean up my room." President Reagan took the time to send Andy a handwritten, tongue-in-cheek reply. He noted a new government effort known as the Private Sector Initiative Program which had been set up to encourage volunteers to tackle local programs rather than relying on government assistance. The President wrote, "I'm sure your mother was fully justified in proclaiming your room a disaster. Therefore you are in a position to launch another volunteer program to go along with more than 3,000 already under way in our nation. Congratulations." —Associated Press. Kids Plead, Advise in letters to Presidents. By Carl Hartman, June 13, 2004. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell While we know the Lord wants to hear from us, sometimes we ask the Lord to do things he has equipped us to do ourselves. James 4:3 (NIV) “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” ________________________________________ PRAYER A new federal law threatening the loss of education funding has the majority of America’s schools declaring that they allow prayer wherever and however the Constitution permits. The law requires school districts to prove that they have no policy stifling court-protected prayer by students or teachers. Districts that do not comply risk losing a share of elementary and secondary money totaling $23 billion. Initial responses due April 15th showed some states still had dozens of school out of compliance, while other states failed to reply. Officials in those states insist the problem is paperwork, and not trouble over prayer policies. The state of North Carolina got the last of its certifications in early May. In mid April California listed 133 of its 1200 districts out of compliance, but had reduced the number to 55 by early May. Indiana, Nevada and New Hampshire had not reported, nor had the District of Columbia. In all 42 states had certified all their schools in early May. Education Department spokeswoman, Susan Aspey said, “we’re not at the point where we’re talking about taking funding away from schools or States. The goal all along has been to make sure local school districts do not have any policies in place that sanction religion—or policies that prohibit voluntary religious expression by students.” The states are being asked to that they have no policy preventing participation in “constitutionally protected prayer.” According to recent decisions, prayer is permitted in school provided it occurs outside of class instruction and is not initiated by school officials. Federal officials say students may pray during recess and teachers can hold a Bible study at lunch, but teachers may not lead their class in prayer or try to persuade students to join religious activities. Many defenders of church-state separation, and advocates of religious expression say they are not sure how meaningful the school’s written promises will be. —Associated Press, May 13, 2003, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. There is a huge difference between freedom FROM religion and freedom OF religion. I’m grateful that the government is taking steps to see that schools are in compliance with the constitution. I have never been as alarmed by the fact that prayer is not permitted in Public Schools as I have by the fact that prayer is often not practiced in private homes. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ________________________________________ PRAYER A religious radio station in Great Britain is dedicating a special spot to Prime Minister Tony Blair. The staff is encouraging believers to set aside time to pray for Mr. Blair, asking the Lord to give him wisdom, insight, and favor with world leaders. Listeners are also asked to pray the Lord would provide Mr. Blair with the power to resist the temptation to "cheat, lie, or act for personal gain." A spokesman says: "The Prime Minister has an unenviable role as leader, decision-maker, and diplomat on the national and international stages. His decisions will affect us all and will shape the present and the future." The radio station expects thousands of people to participate over the next year. —http://www.ananova.com/news, January 21, 2002, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. Prayer is the first and best way to change the world. Surely, many more of our leaders need our prayers! 2 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV. "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all goodness and holiness." ________________________________________ PRAYER A supermarket in Staffordshire, England has become the first in that country to have a prayer box installed. Shoppers at the Asda market can now drop off a prayer request when they pick up their groceries. The prayer box is the idea of a group representing 40 churches of all denominations in the area, known as Churches Together. The group wanted to give anyone, from any background the opportunity to offer a prayer. Special slips are available at the customer service desk for people who want a prayer for themselves or someone else. The slips can be signed or left anonymous. John Marshal, pastor of Church Lane Evangelical Church says each church in the group has agreed to set up a team to collect requests each week, and pray for them. Marshall admits there are some people who feel a prayer request box is controversial, but he adds, “Everybody needs to pray or have someone pray for them as some time in their life. But this is an opportunity for people to offer prayers…” It is a blessing to be prayed for…and it is a blessing to pray for others. —www.expressandstar.com, Supermarket to have prayer box, BY Rita Congers, March 28, 2003. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. Colossians 4:2 NASB “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” ________________________________________ PRAYER After the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl, Gilbert Brown was a hot commodity. Jacksonville offered him an extra million dollars to put his 325 pound body into their uniform, but Brown decided to stay in Green Bay. Why would he turn down a million dollars? A tearful little girl in an autograph signing session asked him to stay. --(Nando News, 2-23-1997, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson James 4:2 "…yet ye have not, because ye ask not." ________________________________________ PRAYER Andrew Newberg, and other doctors from the University of Pennsylvania, recently authored a study entitled "Why God Won't Go Away: Brain Science & the Biology of Belief" in which they demonstrated that praying actually changes the physiology of the brain that can be detected by neuroimaging. They suggest there is a mind body connection present when people pray that can be used with hypnotherapy to help people with chronic illnesses. —http://member.compuserve.com/health/special.jsp?floc=MM7-Mon_am-mm2slot2_link Illustration by Jim L. Wilson They could be right, I don't know. I just know that when we pray, God listens and sometimes He acts in response to our prayer and does more than relax us or change our brain chemistry, or help us with chronic pain-He brings glory to Himself. John 14:13 NIV "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." ________________________________________ PRAYER Billy Kim is the newly elected Baptist World Alliance President and the pastor of a 13,000 member church, the Suwon Church in South Korea. In his comments after his election, he said, "If I had to do it all over, I would do more praying and less preaching." —Religion Today, 1-13-2000 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson When we preach, people listen, but when we pray, God listens. When we preach, people act, but when we pray, God acts. " …if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you." (Matthew 17:20 NASB) ________________________________________ PRAYER Esther Hill stood in an open market weeping over the city. As she did, she prayed, "I join your Son Jesus in weeping over this city." Those tears changed her life, and the people she wept for. When she returned to West Virginia, she challenged others to join her in doing something about the spiritual condition of Mongolia that at the time, had only 3 or 4 known believers. Seven years later, Christians were planting churches in Mongolia and Mongolians were converting to Christ in record numbers. What did Esther and her friends do that made such an impact on this unreached people group? They prayed. —The Commission, November 2001, p. 36 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson Isaiah 65:24 NASB "It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear." ________________________________________ PRAYER For many, computers are the bane of spiritual life, but a growing number of people are discovering the Internet is quite suitable for prayer. People are using the Internet for prayer in many ways. Some are sending out prayer requests by e-mail, offering prayer instruction online, and enlisting millions to pray for global causes through postings on various websites. Over 15,000 web-based prayer circles, the virtual counterpart of physical prayer circles have popped up on line over the past few years. Even mainline denominations are taking prayer on-line. Churches have begun sending weekly e-mail to their members asking them to pray for fellow members and friends who are ill, unemployed, or grieving. The associate pastor of Georgetown Presbyterian Church Merritt Schatz says using e-mail prayer lists is more accurate than the “telephone tree.” Schatz says the problem with phones is that “by the time it gets through many people, the story changes.” Chad Nykamp who works with www.crosswalk.com, a Christian evangelical Web site says Internet prayer sites are popular because “in our busy, go-go society, both believers and non-believers need a sense of connectedness and support in good and bad times.” —www.washingtonpost.com, Web Opens New Windows on Prayer, Caryle Murphy. Sunday March 2, 2003. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. Whether it is done online or across a table, there is no substitute for prayer in the Christian’s life. It is our lifeline. It is our duty. And it is our joy. James 5:16 NASB “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” ________________________________________ PRAYER For sixty years the members of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Mount Carmel, TN prayed for Joe Arnott to come to Christ. Even though he wasn't a Christian, he was a religious man and attended Sunday School and Church for all those years, but never accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord. Several church members witnessed to him, but his answer was always the same, "I'm not ready yet." No one gave up, they kept praying for him. March 5, 2000 their prayers were answered. Arnott made a public profession of his faith. The congregation wept as they watched 60 years of prayers walk the isle to give his life to Jesus. Seeing what was happening, the men in his Sunday School class followed Arnott down the aisle and stood with him as he made his decision. His pastor, Benny Keck said, "I suppose fewer words will ever sound sweeter to my ears than hearing Joe say, 'I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God." —BP, 5-12-2000 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson James 4:2 You do not have because you do not ask. ________________________________________ PRAYER For thirteen extraordinary days in October of 1962, the world stood on the brink of an unthinkable catastrophe. Across the globe, people anxiously awaited the outcome of a harrowing political, diplomatic and military confrontation that threatened to end in an apocalyptic nuclear exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union. There is an interesting late night scene in the movie that chronicles the events, "Thirteen Days." Kenny O'Donnell, an advisor and friend of President Kennedy, is walking down the street and passes a Catholic church. There is a long line of people in front of the church. He looks to see why people are lined up when he sees a sign that says, "Confessions 24 hours. Pray for peace." Kenny stops. Pauses. And then gets in line. God's ear is always open when we come to him in prayer. We don't have to wait in line, and we don't have to wait for catastrophe. Under any circumstance prayer is always the best thing to do. —Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Dave Bootsma Psalm 18:6 NIV "In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears." ________________________________________ PRAYER Have you ever hurt so much you couldn't pray? In his book, When God Interrupts, M. Craig Barnes writes about a time his pain paralyzed his prayer life. After thirty-six hours of hard labor, his wife started hemorrhaging and the fetal monitor alarm went off. Doctors and nurses swarmed into the room and Craig was asked to leave. He resisted, but ultimately, he placed his family in the hands of medical professionals and he walked into a cold, lonely waiting room. Time stood still, and Craig knew he should pray, but he couldn't. His fear was overwhelming-it looked like he was about to lose his wife and his child. But even when he couldn't pray, his fear turned to calm. Eventually the nurse walked in the room to tell him all was well. In the book, Barnes wrote, "My fear of losing family had become gratitude for receiving it back. When I held my daughter for the first time, that gratitude turned into an overwhelming love. I'll never forget that moment when I met her and fell in love with her at the same time." —When God Interrupts, p. 36-37 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson Romans 8:26 KJV "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." For more information on When God Interrupts, go to
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830819797/freshministry
________________________________________ PRAYER In May, 1999 the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that students in Duval, County Florida could no longer decide whether or not to have student-led prayers in their graduation ceremonies. According to Chief Justice Joseph Hatchett, a policy that allows prayer "coerces objecting students to participate in prayer." —religiontoday.com, May 14, 1999 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson Interesting. Does the same logic follow that to allow condom distribution in schools will "coerce objecting students" to participate in sex? Since when is "allowing" and "coercion" the same thing? But really, the compelling question today isn't whether students can pray at school or not, but whether they are taught to pray and honor God at home by godly parents. That's the real issue. Deut. 6:4-9 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: [5] And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. [6] And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: [7] And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. [8] And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. [9] And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates." ________________________________________ PRAYER In Melvindale, Michigan, the ACLU is threatening to sue the Melvindale-Northern Allen Park school district because the husband of the School Board's president, Rev. Don Wolan is leading the football team in a time of prayer before games. "The Supreme Court has been very clear on this exact issue," said Kary Moss, executive director of the Michigan ACLU. "He's probably leaving us no other option but to sue." In June 2000, the Supreme court ruled 6-3 against allowing prayer before football games in a case involving the Santa Fe, Texas School board. Some criticized the Supreme Court decision because "pre-kickoff prayer had become a cherished Bible Belt tradition." A Bible Belt tradition? Is that the best argument for prayer critics of the Supreme Court can come up with? Personally, I could care less about Bible Belt traditions! If prayer is just a tradition, then sign me up with those who say we can do without it. Prayer is a lifeline to God, not a religious tradition. It is how mortal man connects with an Immortal God, who loves us. —http://detnews.com/2000/schools/0011/03/d01-143373.htm Illustration by Jim L. Wilson Luke 18:10-14 "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. [12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. [13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." ________________________________________ PRAYER In a letter to the editor of the Detroit News, Cassandra George Sturges of Ypsilanti, Michigan wrote: "On Sept. 11, I acknowledged George W. Bush as my president and knelt in prayer to ask God to lead him with wisdom, courage and compassion. A part of me felt responsible for what happened because I wondered how things might have been if I had prayed for him sooner." —http://detnews.com/2001/editorial/0110/16/a08-319603.htm Illustration by Jim L. Wilson Regardless of our political agendas, we need to pray for our leaders, especially during times of crisis. Like Sturges is. 1 Tim. 2:2 NLT says, "Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity." ________________________________________ PRAYER In her book, Dancing in the Desert, Marsha Crockett writes “I sit at my desk in the midst of the technology that literally wraps itself around me, and stare at the computer screen for I don't know how long—long enough to sense a discontentment buried deep inside me. Without words, I ask God, ‘What is it?’ I shift my eyes to the slender statuette of a faceless woman standing tall and straight, draped in deep purple from head to toe, her head slightly bowed. In her hands she cradles a basket holding three white blossoms— peace lilies. This figurine symbolizes for me the act of prayer, not the kind of prayer that brings a basket full of concerns, requests and an agenda to God but rather the kind of prayer I pray on days like today when I simply come to God empty, thirsty for his touch, his voice, his presence.” —Dancing in the Desert, Page 19 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson Psalm 73:28 NIV “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” For more information on Dancing in the Desert, go
to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830823840/freshministry
________________________________________ PRAYER It was a nightmare Lt. Shane Osborn couldn't wake up from. After two "fly bys" the Chinese pilot hit the number 1 propeller and sheered off the nose cone of the EP-3E surveillance plane he was flying. Immediately, the plane rolled 130 degrees and plunged 7500 feet. The sluggish EP-3E was almost inverted at this position, a maneuver usually reserved for smaller, more nimble aircraft. The noise in the aircraft was deafening, the vibrations unnerving, but the Naval officer took control of the situation and his aircraft. At first, he thought he'd have to ditch the aircraft into the ocean, but after he had control of the plane, made at least 15 "mayday" distress calls, but no one answered., so he sat the plane down on Hainan. When asked about the radio transmission, Osborn said, "I know we were transmitting. So I can't tell you what (the Chinese) heard and what they didn't because I wasn't in their tower." —http://detnews.com/2001/nation/0104/15/a06-212479.htm Illustration by Jim L. Wilson Though we don't always have our prayers answered the way we want, we do have a God that hears our distress calls. Jeremiah 29:12 KJV "Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you." ________________________________________ PRAYER Robert Preston Taylor had reason to pray. During World War II, he served as a chaplain in battle, participated in the Bataan Death March and spent more than three years in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, they also dropped bombs on Manila, where Taylor was stationed. Later, Taylor would receive the silver star for helping rescue the bodies of five fallen soldiers. Taylor knew more hardship. He was one of only 4000 that ended the Bataan Death March out of the 80,000 that began it. During the march, the prisoners were forced to walk 55 miles without food or water. In the POW camp, worship, including burial rites were outlawed, but Taylor continued to minister. When the guards discovered that Taylor was smuggling supplies in to the soldiers they put him in a 4-by-5-foot bamboo cell to live, where he had to compete with the mosquitoes and maggots for space. They left him there for two months. Taylor prayed, "Lord, if you still have a purpose for me, let me live." On one of the few occasions his captors let him out of the box, he leaned on a bamboo stick to support himself and quoted scripture to the troops. When he asked the POWs to bow for prayer, the guards threw him back into the box. Taylor was near death. The POW's began a prayer vigil, praying for their Chaplain around the clock for two weeks. God answered their prayers and Taylor recovered. In a chapel service at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary on November 9, 2000 Brigadier Gen. Jim Spivey, a church history professor, told Taylor's story to challenge the student body. He said, "Taylor's recovery became a symbol of hope throughout the camp. They saw God answered prayer in the miracle of his recovery, and a revival broke out in that POW camp." Sometimes God is honored by keeping His people from suffering. Other times His is honored by sustaining them in their suffering and inspiring others to greatness because of it. —Baptist Press Tuesday 11/28/00 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson Job 42:10 "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." [NIV] ________________________________________ PRAYER The Canadian Coast Guard had some strong words of advice after a diver drifted 10 kilometers with the tide as dozens of people desperately searched for him. "Call us quickly—the quicker it is the better," said marine controller Marc Proulx. The search for the 64-year-old man was hampered because his partners in the dive boat waited an hour and 45 minutes to call for help after he was swept away in a strong ebb tide. "They tried to search for him themselves," said Proulx. "Maybe they were embarrassed. I don't think they are his best buddies by now." Calling for help as soon as possible is always a good idea, especially when it comes to spiritual matters. Why is prayer usually our last resort instead of our first option? How far do we have to "drift" before we call on God to help us? —The Vancouver Province, January 8, 1999, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Dave Bootsma "As for me, I shall call upon God, And the Lord will save me. [17] Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, And He will hear my voice." Psalm 55:16-17 ________________________________________ PRAYER The murder rate in New York City has dropped significantly in the last ten years, and a primary reason could be prayer. A New York City policeman recently told a group of British Christians that since the introduction of a 24-hour prayer clock a decade ago the annual murder caseload has fallen from 2,600 to 600. Detective Donald Sanchez said some of the credit could go to former Mayor Giuliani's tough stand on crime, but he added, "God is sovereign. He places people in office and government." He said he believes God put Mayor Giuliani in office to be the right man at the right time. The Christian Prayer Association in the United Kingdom has seen overall crime decrease by 45 percent since a program of prayer and social action was begun there. —www.charismnews.com/online, February 11, 2002., Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell Crime is a constant concern in our world. We spend millions of dollars building new jails, hiring police officers, and implementing crime control programs. Perhaps it is time we returned to a straight-forward defense, prayer. Responsible social actions opens doors of opportunity for individuals to be involved. Prayer reminds us, we need God's involvement to solve the problems society faces. With God's help, all things are possible. Philippians 4:5-7. NIV "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ________________________________________ PRAYER The news media reported that many churches across America were filled the Sunday following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. No doubt families sought comfort and encouragement praying and returning to the House of the Lord. Many Christians also seemed to sense the Lord speaking through the tragic events in New York and Washington. During these days of recovery and healing, the World needs to hear what the Lord is saying. In the book of I Kings, the prophet Elijah experienced the voice of the Lord in a unique way. Elijah was depressed, and lonely after the Lords victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Elijah traveled to Mount Horeb, the mountain of the Lord, seeking guidance. The Lord instructed the prophet to stand on the mountain as God passed by. A strong wind battered the mountains, and broke the rocks, but the Lord was not in the wind. Next, an earthquake shook the mountain's foundation, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. Then a fire burned across the mountain, but the Lord was not in the great fire either. Following the fire, there came the sound of a gentle breeze. Elijah stepped out of the cave, and only then did he hear the voice of God speaking to him. (1 Kings 19:9-18) The Lord may not be speaking through the horrific events at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as much as He is using those events to call people to the quiet times of prayer. During these times of prayer, we need to listen to the still small voice of God as He speaks comfort, healing, and direction to those who listen. —Stories on CNN, SRN Radio news, and the Albuquerque Journal, Monday, September 17, 2001. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell ________________________________________ PRAYER The sign in front of First Baptist Church of Kenner Louisiana read, “This week I’m doing missionary work in Iraq; I’m praying.” Joe McKeever, pastor of the church says with the beginning of war against Iraq, “Prayer is not the least or the last thing we can do, but the first, the best, and the most.” McKeever says he has seen that President George Bush does not live by the polls. He says, Mr. Bush has not changed his ways though millions continue to protest the conflict in Iraq. McKeever says he would rather the President listen to God about the current situation. He adds, “Personally, I would distrust a President who checked each morning to see what his critics were saying before planning his actions. I pray for the President, that God will show him the way, and that he will have courage to walk in it.” While McKeever recognizes some people are frightened by that prayer, he adds, “We will not sit idly by and do nothing while the Middle East is in fire; we will pray. We will not wring our hands or march in the streets or hyperventilate over the news; we will pray.” —www.Lifeway.com, Praying about Iraq—and Revival, by Joe McKeever, March 28, 2003, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NASB “First of all, then I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgiving, be made on behalf of all men for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” ________________________________________ PRAYER Traditionally, Jews who hope to have their prayers answered or their wishes come true have written them down and hung them on the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City. Now an Israeli mobile phone company is offering the devout a new way to send their prayers: text messaging. For the equivalent of $1.20 a month, prayers can be sent by text and placed in the stone crevasses of the ancient wall. Israeli cell phone users can send their high-tech prayers to the Wailing Wall by dialing 1-8-1-8. Jewish tradition holds those numbers symbolize life. The messages are received on a computer, collated, and faxed to a rabbi at the Western Wall who is paid by the cellular company to tear off each message and insert it between the stones of the ancient wall. So far 30,000 text messages have been received. Gal Wagner, an official of the company says, “Not everyone has the means or time to get there. We promise to put the message in the Western Wall within 24 hours of it being sent.” So far the text message service is only available within the nation of Israel. —Reuters, September 26, 2003, Israelis Send text Prayers to Western Wall. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf, we do not need text messaging, ancient walls or rabbis to ensure our prayers are heard. Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” ________________________________________ PRAYER When Lindsey Crittenden started to pray, she didn't know what she believed or if she was a believer but one Sunday morning, in the midst of a personal storm, she walked into a church and started to pray. She figured that church wouldn't hurt, and besides she might just meet some nice people there. Later, when she learned that her mother was dying of cancer, that decision would become a source of strength to her. She said, "Prayer didn't keep my mother from dying, but it gave me a way to be with her through the chemo and the hospital stays when I visited her nightly to talk and rub her feet." —Reader's Digest, April 2002, p. 101 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson Psalm 3:4 NIV "To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill." ________________________________________ PRAYER When people in Sanford North Carolina dial the phone number they saw in the new movie, “Bruce Almighty,” they may think that they are going to talk with Bruce. They won’t be speaking to the character played by Jim Carrey, instead they will be dialing Bruce MacInnes, pastor of Turner’s Chapel Church. In the motion picture, Carrey portrays a mortal who receives the powers of the Almighty. When the character of God attempts to reach Carrey’s character; he leaves a phone number on Carrey’s pager. Instead of the usual 555-movie prefix, God’s exchange in the movie is 776. Depending on the area code, the number connects callers with one of two families in Florida. It also works Arkansas, Colorado, and South Carolina, as well as MacInnes’ church. When MacInnes checked the answering machine at the church last Sunday, he noticed nine calls had been received. MacInnes says, “They were all hang ups except one who said something about God and laughed. One of MacInnes’ neighbors said they recognized the number when they saw it. The neighbor’s daughter’s boyfriend called the number and was surprised when “Bruce” answered. MacInnes admits most callers don’t say anything, but he hopes the message will provide an opportunity to talk to someone. He says, “I had a call (Tuesday) from a man who asked to talk to God. I told him if he was serious I would be happy to talk with him about God, and if he wasn’t serious he could just hang up. He hung up.” A spokeswoman for the film’s producers says they picked the number because it does not exist in Buffalo New York where the movie was set. —Associated Press, May 28, 2003, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. The bad news is God doesn’t have a phone number. The good news is, He doesn’t need one. All anyone who wants to talk to God has to do is pray. Psalm 86:7 NASB “In the day of my trouble I shall call upon Thee, For Thou wilt answer me.” ________________________________________ PRAYER When the editors of NEWSWEEK asked President Bush, "What's the role of prayer and faith in this [his response to the events of 9-11]?" Our president responded, "I have never felt more confident about something in my life. And I believe a lot of it has to do with the prayers of the people." But it isn't just the prayers of Americans that strengthens Bush, he told Jim Angle of FOXNews.com, "I start with being on bended knee every morning. Seriously." Commerce Secretary Don Evans said, "That's where he gets his comfort. That's where he gets his balance. That's where he gets his perspective." —NEWSWEEK, December 3, 2001, p. 30; http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,37967,00.html Prayer makes a difference. Psalm 18:3 NIV "I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies." ________________________________________ PRAYER With flames leaping closer to her South Surrey (British Columbia) home, a recording on the 911 emergency line asked Jeni Lewandowski to hold. "My wife was panicking," said her husband Hilmar. "There were propane tanks in our garage. She thought it might explode." Lewandowski thought she had dialed a wrong number. "You don't expect to call 911 and hear a message," she said. So she hung up and called again. "All operators are busy. Please hold on and wait for the next available operator," the message said. She hung up and dialed a telephone company operator, who, after a couple of delays, connected her to the Surrey fire department. Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum promised to investigate. "It's always been indicated that you never get put on hold when you dial 911," he said. "Every second counts. We'll look into this." —the Vancouver Province, January 18, 2001, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Dave Bootsma When we come to God in prayer, we never have to worry that he is unavailable. He is always there in our time of need. Psalm 50:15 NIV "and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." ________________________________________ REVIVAL PRAYER Jim Cymbala began at the Brooklyn Tabernacle as an ill-equipped, under-educated, time-strapped preacher who led a second congregation in New Jersey. The Brooklyn church had no money to pay him, a ramshackle building, and barely enough attendance to bother with weekly meetings. Today, the Tabernacle hosts around 6,000 spirited worshipers. The difference came when Jim, in a moment of desperation, set aside his planned message and called the church to pray. The weekly prayer meeting, not the Sunday worship, became the focal point of the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Jim's belief that "God can't resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need him" (p. 19) guides his work. It is Prayer, not preaching that brings Revival. "and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chron. 7:14 NASB) —From "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire: What Happens When God's Spirit Invades the Heart of His People" available online at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310211883/freshministry Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jack Allen ________________________________________ SCHOOL PRAYER Jason Niemeyer was allowed to join 190 classmates on the football field at Oroville High School June 10, 1999 but the school barred him from speaking, the Scripps McClatchy news service said. The speech wasn't "at all up-front and in-your-face religious," he said. One version refers to "a friend who has personally helped me to achieve my goals, and I give Him the praise and glory for that." Niemeyer achieved a grade-point average above 4.0. —ReligionToday.com June 11, 1999 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson Though he earned the right to address his peers at
his commencement, Jason could not, because he wanted to give God the praise
and glory for helping Him achieve his goals.
PRAYER/MIRACLES Early Sunday morning, July 28,2002, 9 miners were freed from a flooded mine in Pennsylvania. Later, that morning, a few miles down the road, members of the Sipesville Church of the Brethren spent part of their Sunday morning worship service talking about God’s hand in the rescue effort. Fred Slagle sang the hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness told the congregation, “The saving of those miners is definitely a miracle of God. His timing is perfect—with the drill breaking and everything.” Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker recognized God’s hand in the events during a Sunday news conference. He said, “ Had we not run into that drill bit problem, we would have gone down there, hit the ceiling and run into water. And God knows what would have happened.” Slagle said, “ We have all been praying for them; we have been down on our knees. I’ve been thinking of Daniel 5, how God holds your very next breath in His hand. He is so faithful in taking care of our needs.” Leslie Mayhugh, whose husband and father were rescued from the mine, summed up the feelings of everyone saying, “ Everyone should just grab their loved ones, hug them, kiss them, and pray to God. Tell Him thank you very much, that He has performed a miracle.” —Crosswalk.com News Channel, July 29,2002. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. Luke 18:1 NIV “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” PRAYER Please pray for Bro. Dusit and the members of Krabi Baptist Church, who are doing what they can to minister in the wake of the Tsunami triggered by the December 26, 2004 earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia which devastated Asia. "Doing what they can" involves building oversized caskets that can be used to bury the dead. Southern Baptists are helping to resource the members of Krabi Baptist Church. The coordinator for Southern Baptist disaster relief in Asia said, "We want to give supplies to the church to facilitate aid to these areas so people will understand that this aid is coming from the ministry and care of Thai Baptists." —http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=19808 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson Pray for the members of Krabi Baptist Church that they can help meet the physical needs of these unfortunate people. And then when you've finished that prayer pray that they can help meet their spiritual needs too. Matthew 25:45 (NASB) "Then He will answer them, saying, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' PRAYER
Do you consider “no” an appropriate answer to a
question? Then why do we refer to a prayer that God says “no” to
an unanswered prayer?
In Sacred Pathways, Gary Thomas writes, “To demand that God answer all our prayers with a “yes” is to ask for his omnipotence (power) without having the benefit of his omniscience (knowledge).” --Sacred Pathways,162, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson Job 38:4 (NIV) "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand.” For more information on Sacred Pathways go to: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310242843/freshministry
PRAYER With the difficulties in the economy, a church in Alabama decided the best thing they could offer the unemployed in their community was prayer. Tim Childress, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Sylacauga sponsored a prayer table during a local job fair and found many people wanted to pray. Childers said, “At one point the line for prayer was longer than any line for jobs.” Responding to the need, Childers and his church rented a local high school auditorium and filled it with representatives from dozens of local churches, all united with a message of hope and comfort for those who were hurting. The purpose of the prayer time was to let the jobless know they were not alone, and to pray that the economy turns around sometime soon. One job and prayer seeker, Sherry Bentley said, “Prayer changes things, so we believe in power of prayer and so we’re praying that God changes things.” Afterwards Pastor Childers remarked, “You can weather a lot of storms if you know somebody cares, particularly if they know that God cares.” --Sylacauga Prays for Jobless, February 25, 2009; http://www.nbc13.com/vtm/news/local/article/sylacauga_prays_for_the_jobless/61178/
;
Philippians 4:6 CEV “Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.”
PRAYER A Dutch artist has set up a local telephone number in the Netherlands, and is urging people to call and leave a message for God. Johan van der Dong says he set up a phone number with voicemail to give people an opportunity to pause and contemplate life. Callers who use the number will hear “Hi you are speaking to God. I’m
not in right now
--Leave God a message at his Dutch answering service,
I think I’d rather just talk to God personally. I never had to leave a message with Him. 1John:15 GNB “He hears us whenever we ask him; and since we know this is true, we know also that he gives us what we ask from him.”
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