In I Thessalonians 5:25 Paul urges an entire congregation to pray for their leaders. It seems to me that missionaries are the ones who really “get” this verse. They unapologetically design prayer cards, prayer letters, e-mails and urgently invite supporting individuals and churches to pray for them.
But shouldn’t all of us desire prayer from others? Shouldn’t we each realize with the hymnwriter of old, “I need Thee, O I need Thee, Every hour I need Thee, O bless me now my Saviour, I come to Thee!” Since I need Christ, I also need His body, His bride, His people. I need their encouragement, I need their admonition, I need their prayers.
So unashamedly I call out to you, “Brothers (and Sisters), Pray for us!”
Pray for us as a family that we will glorify God in all we do and say. Carolyn heads off to British Columbia in August to begin an exciting Cross-Cultural studies program at Columbia Bible College. Jane heads south to Liberty University to begin her university training. Ruth and I will continue to seek to serve God as He opens doors. Ruth has a vital Tuesday morning time teaching young children about God and using music as a venue to praise Him! She is a great hostess and makes our house a home to all of us and a place of refreshment for visitors. I have the rich privilege of teaching and preaching in various settings as well as working with great colleagues at Toronto Baptist Seminary.
So unashamedly I urge you – Pray for us! Let us know how we can pray for you and we’ll join in a commitment to hold each other’s arms up on a daily basis.
A plaque my parents had stated “Prayer changes things!” I prefer to reword this – “GOD changes things through prayer.” “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 is still in our Bibles. Let’s join together and see how powerful and effective prayer is as God works on our behalf!
I close with a chorus we often sang in Sunday School -
“Whisper a prayer in the morning. Whisper a prayer at noon, Whisper a prayer in the evening ’twill keep your heart in tune.
God answers prayer in the morning, God answers prayer at noon, God answers prayer in the evening so keep your heart in tune.
