Given on Sunday, April 27, 2008

In our local, we had an earth quake April 18, 2008 at 4:37 a.m. When I felt my house shaking slightly, I first thought was, "What should I do?". But I didn't have to think for long. I knew just what to do. I knew what to do because of another "happening of nature" that I had gone through six years earlier.

It was Palm Sunday, 2002 at 3:00 in the afternoon. Many of us from the community were in the New Melle Community Club building presenting the Passion Play. We had come to the scene in which Christ dies on the Cross. He spoke the words, "Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit." At that moment, the sound effects would produce a loud clash of thunder. But on Palm Sunday, 2002 ...... there was a real clash of thunder at that very moment. The community center was packed with people and all of us - actors and audience froze. Right after the thunder, loud, heavy hail began falling. After the hail, we could all hear the tornado sirens blowing. The feeling of fear crept over all of us. But in the midst of all of this, the man who directed the singing chorus made his way to a microphone, got everyone's attention and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I think that best thing we could do right now is pray. Let us pray." His prayer was well worded and asked for God's protection.

As he ended the prayer, the sirens stopped. Not long after the sun came out. Finally, we decided to continue the Passion Play.
The point is that his advice about praying did two things that afternoon.
        * Assured a restless crowd that God's help and care were with us.
        * Totally changed my understanding of the importance of prayer ....... I had just taken it from granted.
So, because of this Palm Sunday "happening of nature" in 2002, I knew the answer to my question of April, 2008 - "What should I do?". I knew that the best thing to do in that moment was to pray.

Which leads me to a question for you...... How important is prayer in your relationship with God and in your life?
In Philippians 4:6, Paul says this , "In everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God."
And even earlier, the Psalmist lifts up the dynamic aspects of prayer and how connected we are with God when we pray.
"God listened. He heard my prayer. He paid attention to it. Blessed be God, who didn't turn away when I was praying."
(Psalm 66 20).

Consider what these Bible passages are saying about prayer. At the same time, think about the place prayer has in your relationship with God. While you do that, give a new meaning to an abbreviation we see very often - A.S.A.P. These letters generally mean, " As soon as possible." But, they could also mean, "Always say a prayer." A verse says this:
        "God knows how stressful life is,
                      He wants to ease our cares.
        And He'll respond to all your needs,
                      ASAP ----- Just always say a prayer."

Put it all together, Paul's words, "In everything, by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God." The statement made that Palm Sunday afternoon, "I think the best thing we can do is pray." And the assurance of Psalm 66, "Blessed be God, who didn't turn away when I was praying." We come to a new reverence of the importance of prayer in our lives. To pray ..... to instantly connect with a heavenly Father who listens, hears, and understands, is truly one of God's greatest gifts to us. Let us remember this ASAP.

Here's a closing prayer:

"We call you our heavenly Father, O God, and now we know that one of the most personal conversations we can have with you is through prayer. We praise you God, our Father, that when we pray, you hear; you listen; you understand; and in your compassion, you answer. Amen.