Newsletter Page Two

Pray Without Ceasing

One evening six-year-old Bobby asked his father for a pet. "Sorry, son," his father said, "not now. But if you pray real hard for two months, perhaps God will send you a baby brother." Bobby prayed faithfully for a month, but it seemed futile to pray longer so he gave up.

How surprised he was, when a month later, a little boy arrived at their home, or so Bobby thought when he saw a squirming bundle beside his mother. His proud father drew back the cover and Bobby saw another baby. Twins!

"Aren't you glad you prayed for a baby brother?" asked his father.

"I sure am," said the boy. "But aren't you glad I stopped praying when I did?"

Sometimes, like Bobby, we are tempted to give up prayer when it doesn't seem to be "working". Like the souls under the altar in Rev. 5 9-10, we cry out, "How long, O Lord before you answer our prayers?" And we sometimes don't like the answer given by God, "...a little while longer..." (Rev. 5:11).

But there is not a prayer uttered by one of God's children that God does not hear and that does not touch his heart. Prayer changes things -- it truly does make a difference -- and so we need to be careful not to get discouraged and give up.

"The effective, fervent prayer of a
righteous man avails much" (James 5:16b)

Prayer for America

Gracious God, all that we have and are is a result of Your amazing generosity. Since September 11th, in the battle against terrorism, we have discovered again that You truly are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

We rededicate ourselves to be one nation under You. In You we trust. We reaffirm our accountability to You, to the absolutes of Your commandments, and to justice in our society.

Bless our President, Congress, and all our leaders with supernatural power. We commit ourselves to be faithful to You as Sovereign of our land as our personal Lord and Savior. Amen

(Written by Llyod Ogilvie, Chaplain, US Senate)

OOoops!

From a church bulletin..........

PRAYER LIST

Please pray for Sean who was bitten by his car and the bite became badly infected.

(I suspect Sean owns a Mercury Cougar)

Prayer for the Church

by St. Paul

God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may You give the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to the church so we may know You better. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts in order that we may know the hope to which You have called us, the riches of Your glorious inheritance and Your incomparable great power for us.

Amen

(Please pray this daily for St. Paul’s)