Pray

I was out of town last weekend. We took a trip to Alexandria, Minnesota to visit my son. If you remember from previous Blog’s, my oldest son Nick struggled with drugs and alcohol for over 27 years. After hundreds of prayers from his immediate family and from his Church family, Nick finally opened his heart to Christ. He had always known about Jesus, as we attended church regularly and had nightly devotions with all our children. For whatever reason, Nick found comfort and excitement through alcohol and drugs.

Nick is now involved with and helping supervise a very successful program called Adult and Teen Challenge. ATC is a Christian based drug and alcohol recovery organization that instructs and demonstrates the love and forgiving power of God through his Son Jesus. Some of the clients have been battling the demons of addiction for 50 years before coming to the “Challenge.”  

Nick (currently in the ministry) gave a message on the importance of prayer. He titled the message, “God’s Plan.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you  a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Hearing these words made several men in the congregation break down and cry. Some were inconsolable as they had never heard the plans that God had for them. The key for many of these men is the ability to pray to the God of the universe anytime they want and know that He is always listening. This year I also noticed that there were picture frames hanging around with the word, “PRAY” in the middle. Others said “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.” Just as Pastor Tim said in his sermon last week, God wants to hear from us! It’s the most precious and important line of communication we have in our lives!

Nick finished his sermon with this verse from Jesus, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

For us, it took 27 years of praying (and someday I hope to have the opportunity to talk to God about His timing vs. mine). In reality, His timing, His plan, like everything else He does, was perfect!    

Thanks be to God!!!   

Ken Patton