And Everybody Said, "Amen"

Our Rebecca and Ben, 1986
(I don't remember the cats' names)

"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." (Ephesians 6:18)

At the onset of Desert Storm in August of 1990, our family attended a prayer service for our country and our military at a wonderful, African-American Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. At the conclusion of the service, an elderly gentleman came to my Phillip and said, "Bring your family to the altar. We want to pray for you."

Taking the hands of our three little ones, we led them down front, and the entire congregation surrounded us and prayed fervently and simultaneously - truly an amazing experience and a highlight of my spiritual journey. 

(When we were leaving the two-pulpit sanctuary, our seven-year-old Ben said, "No, I don't wanna go. Everybody prayed at the same time, I wanna see two preachers preach at the same time.")

Beloved, in these turbulent and storm-tossed times, let us pray for all believers everywhere at all times and on every occasion.