Praying. . .

Did you ever wake up in the middle of the night and feel the need to pray? That is where I am right now. It is 4:34 a.m. and I am up, sleepless, and I have prayed for everyone I can think to pray for. (So if you are in my Outlook Address Book, you were prayed for at least once today.)

I am thankful for the opportunity to pray whenever and wherever I want. Nehemiah said in 1:11--"O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name:"

The Psalmist said "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up." in Psalm 5:3. Sounds like he was up early too!

It has been said that "The greatest gift we can give to others is our prayers." What better gift do we have to offer than to bring our friends and family before the Lord? Is there any better way to tell my children that I love them, than to let them hear me call their name out in prayer? And what about those who don't always see "eye to eye" with you? Can we honestly have an issue with a sister (or brother) that we bring before HIS throne regularly?

Anyway. . .I am praying for my friend Anne. On Monday, she had surgery to remove a tumor on her brain stem. She is an amazing woman with a great husband and three kids. She is a master teacher. She is a choir member and an awesome soloist. Right now she is having trouble swallowing. If the Lord brings Anne to your mind today, please whisper a prayer on her behalf. I know that she would say thank you!

A