Always In Need

I recently ventured to Branson, MO, with my parents. Yes, Branson. And I actually enjoyed being entertained by Andy Williams, still alive at age 83!

We also attended the "Miracle of Christmas," an incredible production on the birth of Christ (at Sight & Sound Theatres). At the end of the show, they made prayer available for anyone in the audience. I watched as three "prayer counselors" stood alone in the front of the theater, while perhaps 1,000 people streamed out the other direction. To be honest, I wondered about their disappointment, as so often I watch people leave my own church service without taking advantage of the offer of prayer.

So even though I was on the upper level, I told my parents that I was not going to miss this opportunity. I fought the crowd and made my way down to the front to pray with Jessica. She was a wonderful blessing, and I was assured that many more people would be praying for me throughout the week. I was the only one in the theater who went forward for prayer!

Now, I have no doubt that the needs in that auditorium were enormous. There was not a single person in the room who did not have some kind of burden on his or her heart. Yet, how often the last thing we do is bring that burden before the Lord. I mean, good grief -- we had just watched the most amazing display of God's glory and love through the miraculous birth of Jesus!

What a disconnect; yet I am often guilty of that disconnect myself.

If only we understood the tremendous grace, power, and mercy available to us when we call out to God in prayer. We would truly learn, as Paul did, to pray without ceasing.

May I never pass up an opportunity to have someone else bring me before our Lord in prayer. May I always connect prayer with the power of the Almighty God – and be the recipient of His great grace.