thoughts on the news of the day: prayer

hmmm…..

            “Something happens when people pray that doesn’t happen when people don’t pray.”  A friend of mine told me that a long time ago, and I believe that it is true.  It would be an understatement to say prayer changes things – it changes mostly people’s attitudes. 

            We have a tradition at our church on Sunday mornings where I come down from the chancel area and ask for the prayers of the people.  There were 7 people who asked for prayer for a loved one’s cancer yesterday.  Some of the people are folks I know pretty well, some I have never met.  But I believe that our prayers yesterday made a difference.  And I believe that our continued prayers will make a continual difference in their lives. 

            Mostly prayer changes our attitude.  It makes us aware that someone cares, is there for us and wants us to thrive.  It gives us hope and encouragement and sometimes gratitude.  It’s that old “attitude of gratitude” thing.

            I receive an email devotional from a pastor in Texas.  Today, he wrote that he would pray specifically for anyone who asked.  He committed to doing that for ten days.  I am not that brave, but I will pray for you if you let me know the nature of your need. In fact, I would consider it a privilege to pray for you.  All you have to do is ask …

            hmmm…..