There is no question that we are living in difficult and even "perilous times" (2 Timothy 3:1). Throughout history God’s people knew that they must look up in prayer with eyes of faith to the God who made the mountains. Prayer was more than the recital of well-worn phrases with the outpouring of the heart. They believe that God heard, cared, and answered. We can join them in a unique prayer partnership as we learn to pray the inspired prayers in the scriptures. I would like to teach using this framework in upcoming weeks.

While we can certainly act with deeds of righteousness, vote in the elections, campaign for candidates, be informed about issues, and get involved in community affairs, nothing is more important in these dark days than believing prayer. After successive years of rebellion in man’s early history, "Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord" (Genesis 4:26). Many Bible scholars believe that this is the first verse in the Bible in which prayer is mentioned. Certainly Adam and Eve prayed, but something unusual was happening, as evidenced by the word, "then." Today is a "then" turning point for our nation – "then…now we must call upon His name." It could also be that this Genesis reference was to when more than one or two began to seek the Lord. One translation is rendered, "Then began men to call themselves by the name of the Lord." Conscious of their deep need, they turned to the Lord and adopted His name and identity as followers of Jehovah. May it be true of us.

Ask the Lord to give you a hunger to know Him more intimately just like Mary of Bethany, who sat at His feet and listened to His word. Troubled Hagar, who was banished and bitter, discovered that "The Lord had heard her affliction and that God saw her" (Genesis 16:10-11). God knows and cares about your need. In the earlier books of the Bible it appears that God speaks more to men than they do to Him and that commands were given and promises made. We still obey Him, claim His promises, and trust in Him to see us through these difficult times. But may we seriously cry out to Him. May this be a turning point in the life of our church and in me as pastor. As God works in our midst, as we learn to pray His words back to Him, may we say of this time, "It is the Lord; let Him do what seems good to Him" (1 Samuel 3:18).