to do?’ I reply: ‘Talk to God as if you are Use mini-moments to pray. Setting Those rains went on for days. Each
talking to me; even more simply, in fact.’ aside a block of time in the morning or morning the troops awakened soaked to
The apostle Paul writes that the truest evening for prayer is an excellent spiritual the bone after a night with only camou-
prayer is sometimes a sigh. A sigh can discipline. However, don’t neglect the flage netting for cover. Bad enough we have
say more than could be contained in many mini-moments throughout the day the enemy to worry about. Now the elements
many words.” to offer up a quick, brief prayer on behalf are against us too, Major Halt thought.
Share prayer requests with others. of others. Life sends all kinds of Father, please make this rain stop and protect
Richard P. Roberts of Selma, North Caroli- reminders to say a sudden, spontaneous us, he prayed.
na, tells of a time when his wife slipped in prayer. As you commute to work and In spite of his prayer, the rains contin-
the kitchen, breaking her hip. At the hos- recall that a friend is going for surgery, ued to pound the battalion relentlessly
pital, Roberts encountered a prisoner from silently pray: Dear God, be with my friend until they reached the Kuwaiti border.
the local state prison. The man was shack- and guide the surgeon. Whenever you see There the group halted. On the other side,
led and accompanied by two guards. He an ambulance racing down the road, the enemy waited. Rain or no rain, we’d soon
recognized Roberts from prison ministry offer a brief prayer: God, direct the emer- be going in, he remembers thinking. The
and asked about his wife. Roberts gency medics. May their work heal suffering troop awakened on the day of the inva-
explained the situation, and the prisoner and save a life. As you use mini-moments sion to clear skies and brilliant sunshine,
said he would pray for her and ask his to pray, it will become a habit. and they couldn’t help but stare at the
friends in prison to pray also. Several Be prepared for surprise answers to astounding sight before them. The torren-
months later, Roberts returned to the prayer. Michael Halt was a U.S. Marine tial rains had washed away the sand to
prison for the monthly chapel service he major engaged in the 1991 Gulf War. He reveal metal disks planted all across their
“THE POWER OF PRAYER HAS SUBDUED THE STRENGTH OF FIRE; IT HAS
BRIDLED THE RAGE OF LIONS, HUSHED ANARCHY TO REST, EXTINGUISHED
WARS, APPEASED THE ELEMENTS, EXPELLED DEMONS, BURST THE CHAINS OF
DEATH, EXPANDED THE GATES OF HEAVEN, ASSUAGED DISEASES, REPELLED
FRAUDS, RESCUED CITIES FROM DESTRUCTION, STAYED THE SUN IN ITS
COURSE, AND ARRESTED THE PROGRESS OF THE THUNDERBOLT.”
conducted. One of the attendees asked vividly recalls receiving the order that his path. An entire Iraqi minefield was
about his wife and said the prisoners con- battalion was to cross the Kuwaiti border as exposed. Major Halt’s prayer was
tinued to keep her in their prayers. “She is part of Operation Desert Storm. Major Halt answered, but not as he expected.
doing well, thanks to the prayers of many, was second in command of 130 coura- Unite prayer with trust. Remind
including the prisoners,” Roberts says. geous Marines about to face the most yourself frequently of these words from
Learn from others. Across the years daunting challenge of their lives. The Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all
and around the world many people have group had already faced heavy artillery fire. your heart and lean not on your own
been effective in prayer. Blessedly, they Now they would be confronted with the understanding” (NIV). Norman Vincent
have shared their wisdom via writings. additional danger of land mines on their Peale says that prayer without trust is weak
Let their insights motivate your spiritual path as well as the presence of thousands and ineffective. “If you really do not think
life and increase your confidence in of Iraqi troops waiting just beyond the that God has your best interests at heart,
prayer. Kuwaiti border. As he was making final then it is pointless to pray to Him for
For example, consider this observation preparations for battle, Major Halt offered a help,” he writes. “Your negative attitude
from fourth-century church leader John quick prayer: Dear God, help me to lead my will block the channel. . . . The key then is
Chrysostom: “The power of prayer has troops wisely. Watch over us. Keep us safe. trust. You trust God. Regardless of all that
subdued the strength of fire; it has bri- Just before dawn the next morning, he goes wrong, you believe He loves you and
dled the rage of lions, hushed anarchy to gave the order to move out. The skies were cares about what happens to you.”
rest, extinguished wars, appeased the ele- clear. Putting their gear in Humvees, the
ments, expelled demons, burst the chains battalion began advancing toward the bor- Victor M. Parachin, ordained
of death, expanded the gates of heaven, der. Suddenly, there was a drop of rain, minister, freelance journalist,
assuaged diseases, repelled frauds, rescued then another. In a matter of minutes, it and author of several books,
cities from destruction, stayed the sun in was pouring. The rain was so intense and including his latest, Eastern
its course, and arrested the progress of the thick that drivers could barely make out Wisdom for Western Minds
thunderbolt.” the desert landscape directly ahead. (Orbis Books), lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
EVANGEL • MAY 2009 15
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