Gladys Johnston  

PRAYER HAS POWER

" You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..."  Matthew 5:43-44

We often wonder what we can do to help others, especially those in great need. The recent devastation by hurricanes Harvey and Irma have brought this to the forefront in our minds. But 'helping others' is not limited to physical items like money, supplies or rehabilitation labor. There can be mental, emotional and spiritual needs involved in helping others that we encounter in our daily lives.

As Christians we are called to love others and minister to their needs whether they are friend or foe. Prayer is one of the powerful ways we can do this. It is not a sign that we have given up on worldly methods of helping when we say "Let us pray for one another."

Rather it is a sign of strength when we invoke the power of God, the Son and the Holy Spirit to address the needs and concerns of others whether they be Christians or non-Christians. To pray, that is to communicate with the One who calls us to love others as He has loved us, is the most powerful thing we can do for others.

Dear Lord, thank you for the power of prayer and make us ever mindful of the needs of others. Amen