Why even bother to pray? (9/8/2006)

Hello to All,

A few months ago I had a rare deep thought:

"Since God is sovereign, knows the future, and has everything planned, then prayer is an exercise for relating to him. When we pray for others, we fellowship with God and will be blessed for serving others. However, it doesn't make an ultimate difference in any outcome."

Fortunately, my deep thoughts are rare. Perhaps I was punch-drunk from suffering a heart attack the day after graduation from seminary and dealing with Ann's on-again, off-again, on-again threat of cancer. Perhaps it just the logical conclusion of one who focuses in God's sovereignty without appreciating his intimacy.

I still steadfastly hold to the first and second sentence. However, thanks to all of you I have had to eat the words of the third sentence and confess my lack of faith.

Wednesday evening Ann was very apprehensive about the procedure for inserting the CVC lines (semi-permanent IV) and for starting the infusion of chemo into her system. It's no longer a bad dream from which we hope to awaken, but our reality. Yesterday, you prayed for Ann to courageously face the first chemo treatment. She was calm all day. The insertion of the CVC line went well and she wasn't fearful. Then the infusion almost seemed like a non-event. Ann didn't wig out or even cry. Her peace was truly beyond understanding. Yesterday's outcome was impacted by your prayers.

If this was the first time that we had seen God answer specific prayer in the last few months then I could write it off as coincidental. I have seen enough to know that fervent prayer impacts the outcome of our lives. I am encouraged to pray with more confidence about our situation, and about the sufferings of family and friends.

Please be encouraged to pray for your and our situation with boldness.

Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for Ann's continued good response to the chemo. So far so good. No nausea or other side effects. She will be receiving chemo through Sunday evening.
• Please pray for Ann's complete healing so that she can know our grandchildren.

James 5:16:
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.


Thanks for standing with us.

In His love,
Howard & Ann