Caring Prayer

Read: Romans 15:30-33

I beg you, ... strive together with me in prayers to God for me. --- Romans 15:30

The Bible In One Year:
Exodus 19-20
Matthew 18:21-35

I recently received an e-mail from someone I didn't know. It was from a teenager who set a great example we all can learn from. His e-mail showed how much he believed in the power of prayer.

He told about a teenage girl in his hometown who had become pregnant outside of marriage. Her parents were threatening to force her to get an abortion. When the young man heard about it, he got on his computer and sent an e-mail to more than 100 people, telling of the girl's predicament and saying over and over, "Please pray for this girl." His compassion for her was evident --- as well as his faith in God to answer prayer.

This teenager could have spent time on his computer doing many other things: looking up information about cars, playing video games, sending jokes to his buddies. Instead, he took the time to compile all those e-mail addresses, then he wrote a caring, heartfelt note. In Romans 15:30-33, the apostle Paul showed that he knew the value of concerted prayer --- whether it's for ourselves or for someone else in need.

What a lesson! It reminds us to cling to the Lord in prayer, and it shows us an example of the compassion that leads us to team up with others in caring prayer. --- Dave Branon

LEARNING TO PRAY
Unsure of how to develop an affective prayer life?
Read the booklet Jesus' Blueprint For Prayer at
www.discoveryseries.org/hj891

WHEN YOU CAN'T BE THERE, YOU CAN HELP THROUGH PRAYER.