Tuesday, May 6, 2003
Tuesday, May 6, 2003
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
I read an amusing story once about two members of the United States Diving Team, which was
competing in the Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea. They decided one Sunday morning to
attend church.
They hailed a taxi, but unfortunately they could not speak Korean and the driver could not speak
English. Trying to communicate the concept of church, they put their hands together as if to
pray.
The driver smiled and nodded his head to show understanding and approval. Then he took the
would-be church-goers to the city swimming pool. It is ironic that should happen in South
Korea. If you have read anything about the amazing growth of churches in South Korea, you
know that they put enormous emphasis on the power of prayer--far more emphasis than we do
in our Western churches.
Every great revival that has swept through the Christian community has begun with a
commitment to prayer.
(Philippians 4.6
NRSV)
Harry Emerson Fosdick, former pastor of Riverside Church, New York City, once stood by the
rail admiring Niagara Falls. The man standing next to him commented: "You know, right there is
the greatest unused power in all the world." Fosdick, in his kindly manner, quickly replied: "No,
I'm afraid I'll have to disagree with you. The greatest unused power in all the world is prayer!"
Fosdick was right. Prayer is a dimension in our world still to be explored.
God of peace, may I earnestly pray daily for a revival in my heart and in my community. Amen.
