Did you know that God believes in this old saying?  Did you know that – in a manner of speaking – the idea is all throughout the Bible?

Moses went up on the mountain and prayed (Exodus 19:3).  The disciples asked Jesus, and He taught them how to pray (Luke 11:1).  An “undeserving woman” came to Jesus and prayed:  “Lord, help me!” (Matthew 15:25). That simple prayer is what got Jesus’ attention.  The last words of our Lord, upon the cross, was a prayer (Luke 23:46).

St. Paul says—in one of the shortest passages of all scripture—in I Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray continually.” (NIV) “Pray constantly.” (Holman) “Never stop praying.” (NLT)

Prayer was important to our Lord.  He was in prayer always, always in constant contact with His Father.  So should we be.

I believe that prayer is the most powerful tool God has given us.  The more often we use it, the closer to God we become; the more we pray, the more He hears.  I’m convinced if we pray hard enough that even the angels hear our prayers!

We need to pray every day, every hour, every minute.  We need this “holy conversation” with God, because, well, we need God every minute of our lives.

And now—right now—each one of us needs to pray:  for our friend and leader, Roger Bailey.  As many of you already know, he has suffered a stroke on Thursday.  The left side of his body remains paralyzed.  He has many needs right now: he and Carolynn, Jenny, Bailey, Rob and Leslie.

Here’s where you can make a difference.  If you are one who thought, “I’m not all that important.” or “What could I ever do to help?”  Now is the time; now you can help make a difference.

Pray your prayers.  And, in your prayers, include Roger and his family.  It will make a difference.  God will hear the “squeaky wheel.”  He has responded, and He will respond again.

Never stop.  Make a difference.  And, may peace be with you all!

God loves you and so do I!

Pastor Jim