All Because Someone Prayed

I seem to be getting a lot of prayer requests lately for PWI, with some pretty serious needs. As I was sending out one more request, I wondered if the recipients of my many emails were tired of receiving email from me once again asking for their prayers. Then one lady, a grateful recipient of PWI's prayer, whom I have never met, sent me this little article by Max Lucado. It greatly encouraged me, and I hope it encourages you. For those of you who regularly lift up these requests of these whom you've never met, this is for you. God sees, God hears, God is pleased. Your prayers DO make a difference. When the thought comes to you that "it does no good to pray", know where that thought is coming from. Straight from the pit! The devil can fight, but he cannot win (check out the word Pastor Don had Sunday below). Thank you for your prayers. When you get to heaven, there will be faces you've not seen on this earth, that will search out yours and will line up to thank you. God bless. KHJ


ALL BECAUSE SOMEONE PRAYED - - -
by Max Lucado

Those who pray keep alive the watch fires of faith. For the most part we don’t even know their names. Such is the case of someone who prayed on a day long ago.

His name is not important. His looks are immaterial. His gender is of no concern. His title is irrelevant. He is important not because of who he was, but because of what he did.

He went to Jesus on behalf of a friend. His friend was sick, and Jesus could help, and someone needed to go to Jesus, so someone went.

John writes: “So Mary and Martha sent someone to tell Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is sick’” (John 11:3).

Someone carried the request. Someone walked the trail. Someone went to Jesus on behalf of Lazarus. And because someone went, Jesus responded.

The Master heard the request. Jesus stopped whatever he was doing and took note of the man’s words. This anonymous courier was heard by God.

You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter his presence, the attendants turn to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God—and he listens. He listens to the painful plea of the elderly in the rest home. He listens to the gruff confession of the death-row inmate. When the alcoholic begs for mercy, when the spouse seeks guidance, when the businessman steps off the street into the chapel, God listens.

Intently. Carefully. The prayers are honored as precious jewels. Purified and empowered, the words rise in a delightful fragrance to our Lord. “The smoke from the incense went up from the angel’s hand to God” (Rev. 8:4). Incredible. Your words do not stop until they reach the very throne of God.

One call and heaven’s fleet appears. Your prayer on earth activates God’s power in heaven.

You are the someone of God’s kingdom. Your prayers move God to change the world. You may not understand the mystery of prayer. You don’t need to. But this much is clear: Actions in heaven begin when someone prays on earth. What an amazing thought!

When you speak, Jesus hears.

And when Jesus hears, the world is changed.

All because someone prayed.

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From America Looks Up
Copyright 2001, Max Lucado