Welcome to "Tuesday Morning"—a place to begin everyday with a spring in your step. 

This week is National Day of Prayer. It is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The home page for NDP explains its mission. "It exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America's leaders and its families." Shirley Dobson, Chair of the event, appeared on Robert Schuller's television program this past weekend to speak about her involvement in the annual event and the importance of Americans (and actually people everywhere) to take seriously the importance of prayer in the life of individuals, churches, communities, states, and the nation. This week's "Tuesday Morning" is dedicated to the support of the National Day of Prayer. Open the attachment whenever you are ready. 

Then plan to participate in your local Day of Prayer activities. Most Christian churches in the United States will be open all day on Thursday to allow persons to utilize the churches for one of the purposes for which they were, at least in part, established—prayer.  

In Matthew 21 there is recorded an explosive declaration made by Jesus concerning the Temple: "My house shall be called a house of prayer." But he followed that declaration by saying, "but you have made it a den of thieves." Jesus was quoting from Isaiah 56:7, "... for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." The irony of the Isaiah prophecy was that "all nations" were not invited into the Jerusalem Temple. It became an exclusive place where even the selling of doves and animals of sacrifice was permitted, but where Gentiles were restricted in their access to the sacred areas of the Temple.  

This week the Churches of America will become that—houses of prayer where people from all nations will be invited, regardless of their cultural background, religious affiliation, sex, and gender. Plan to take time on Thursday to pray for the nation, and for yourself.  

Tom Barnard

Joining you in prayer this week 

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When There Is No Miracle

Tom Barnard 

n old, but still popular gospel song is entitled “Life’s Railway to Heaven.” It tells everyone’s story—the tragedies, setbacks, disappointments, and pain that touch every family around the world. The question is, “Where do people of faith turn when these things happen?” There is an answer. We trust. We pray. And we keep on track. Here is one verse from the song: 

“You will often find obstructions; look for storms of wind and rain;

On a fill, or curve, or trestle, they will almost ditch your train.

Put your trust alone in Jesus; never falter, never fail.

Keep your hand upon the throttle, and your eye upon the rail.” 

Some of you have been passengers on emotional train rides like this one—full of obstructions, storms, and dangerous curves. You have been driven to your knees in prayer as the only hope to keep your train from finding a ditch. You have experienced fear and anxiety about situations that seemed beyond the power of God to remove. And you have discovered that help is on the way. Through prayer.                  

Several years ago I discovered an insightful book, entitled When There is No Miracle, by Robert Wise. Here is one paragraph that describes how I have felt at certain times in my own pilgrimage: 

“When our prayers seem to bring nothing but silence from God, it is natural for us to be bewildered. And soon, our apprehensions turn into a sense of deep misgiving. On every side, our doubts nag and nibble away at our self-confidence. We once thought of ourselves as people of strong faith, but now we don’t know whether to believe or not.”  

Where do Christians turn when there is no miracle? I have found encouragement from 1 Peter 1:6, 7 

“So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold …”  

Here are some suggestions about how we should pray, especially when the future is in doubt.

·        Ask in Jesus’ name. “The truth is, you can go directly to the Father and ask him, and he will grant your request because you use my name. Ask, using my name, and you will receive….” John 16:23, 24

·        Ask while abiding in Jesus. “If you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted.” John 15:7

·        Ask according to God’s will. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us…we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:14, 15

·        Ask in faith. “…If you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect an answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5, 6

·        Ask with Thanksgiving. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6

·        Ask with the right motive. “The reason you don’t have what you want is that you don’t ask God for it. And even when you do ask, you don’t get it because your whole motive is wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.” James 4:3 

The song writer was right. He said, “Put your trust alone in Jesus; never falter, never fail.” Just because God seems silent and far away, he is as close to you as he has ever been. He is aware of the trials you are facing, and he will see to it that the pain you feel will serve to purify you, not destroy you. As Peter said, “Your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold.” The news doesn’t get much better than this!  

“The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”

(Proverbs 15:29)