Just a thought by coppi

I was reading this morning different authors reflecting on prayer.  Following are some that tugged my heart strings:

Philip Yancey – “I have not attempted a guide book that details techniques such as fasting, prayer retreats, & spiritual direction.  I investigate the topic of prayer as a pilgrim strolling about, staring at the monuments, asking questions, mulling things over, testing the water.  I admit to an imbalance, overreaction to time, spent among Christians who promise too much & pondered too little, and as a result, I try to err on the side of honesty & not pretense”.

Charles Spurgeon – prayer makes the darken’d cloud withdraw; prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw; gives exercise to faith & love: brings every blessing from above.

Crandall Chauncey, a cardiologist’s encounters with death and…..”I picture this world as a sort of pre-op room where we are prepared for the real healing to come”.  “11 Cor 5:7 – we live by faith not by sight.  In faith I will trust what I see but will pray she/he lives”

Not too long ago, my dear friends, asked me to go to Tampa General to pray for a friend, who was shot & developed an infection in his body. When we walked into the room, all I saw was a person who looked like a mummy.  His body was wrapped from head to toe with gauze, he was hanging from some kind of contraption, I guess to prevent bed sores.  The only part of him I could see was his eyes that pierced through holes in his mummy garment.  My friends are very strong in faith & I thought I was, but what I saw diminished whatever faith I had;  “Jesus I will trust what I see but will pray he lives” was my prayer.  His church family was praying, his family & dear wife, and friends, bombarded heaven for his healing.  His recovery was miraculous.  Prayer do I understand it.  No.  But, we are told to pray in the Bible.  Jesus, himself, spent much time in prayer.  I am like Philip Yancey “I investigate the topic of prayer as a pilgrim strolling about……..”

When we get to heaven, I have a feeling, we will wish we spent more time in prayer.

Just a thought by coppi