Published: April 18, 2008 01:13 pm            

Column: Fateful day proved power of prayer

I saw a bumper sticker the other day on an old beat-up pickup truck that read, “I believe in the power of prayer.”

I wasn’t sure if the driver believed in the power of prayer to keep the old truck running, or if prayer was indeed an important part of his life. It didn’t matter, because we live in a land that allows everyone the freedom to say and worship as their conscience dictates.

Our nation was founded upon that principle.

Prayer has been described in many ways. Here are some:

“Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,

“Uttered or unexpressed;

“The motion of a hidden fire

“That trembles in the breast.”

– James Montgomery



“Prayer is the language of a man burdened with a sense of need.” – E.M. Bounds



“Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God.” – Edward Keith



“Prayer is the spirit speaking truth to Truth.” – Phillip James



“Faith furnishes prayer with wings, without which it cannot soar to Heaven.” – St. John Climacus



I was taught in my youth, and I learned from the example of my parents, that saying your prayers every day is important. My parents taught me that our Heavenly Father is real and he does hear and answer prayers.

I also learned that just because I prayed for a new bike did not mean that I was going to get one.

Thanks goodness, as William Culbertson said, “Be thankful that God’s answers are wiser than your answers.”

I remember as a little tike asking this question: “Mom, how can our Heavenly Father hear and answer all those prayers from everyone in the world all at the same time?”

Her answer was simple.

She said, “Honey, I don’t know, but he does. Of that I am sure.”

That’s all I needed to hear. For me, if Mom believed it, it was true.

I reflected on her statement that fateful day, Sept. 11, 2001. You remember: It was the day the terrorists attacked in New York, outside Washington, D.C., and right here in our back yard.

I believe most of the civilized world was united in prayer on behalf of America. Literally millions and millions were praying the world over.

I wondered again to myself, how does our Heavenly Father do it? How can he listen, comprehend and answer so many praying at once with so many problems, wants and concerns? All are pleading their cause in great earnest.

My mom’s voice echoed in my mind: “Honey, I don’t know, but he does. Of that I am sure.”

On that day, I found comfort in her statement.

As the news of these tragic events unfolded across all media throughout the day, another tragedy was happening in my family that required supernal intervention.

My little sister Kaylyn called me that night.

In all the confusion of the day, her cat, Toby, somehow slipped outside the morning of Sept. 11, and was nowhere to be found. What compounded the problem was that they lived on a very busy rural back road and they were afraid he would cross the road and be killed or a dog would get him.

Toby was her fat, sweet, brown and black tabby. My little sister loves this cat in a way only cat lovers can truly understand. His purr brings her comfort and joy. He is a snuggle cat to the max.

Toby is a vital member of the family.

However, he is an exclusive indoor cat and is not wise to the ways of life outdoors. He has many mice as personal friends, if you know what I mean. His chances of survival outdoors would soon be slim to none.

Kaylyn said she looked everywhere and was very distraught. She told me she decided after searching everywhere to kneel down and offer a prayer to our Heavenly Father and ask him to please help her find Toby.

Kaylyn said she told Heavenly Father how much she loved her cat and that she did not want to lose him. She prayed and said that she had done all that she could do and asked him to please help Toby find his way home before nightfall.

She said that after her prayer, she was moved to go out in the back yard one last time to see if Toby were down over the hill.

Suddenly, she saw a flash across the back of the property, and sure enough, it was Toby! After much coaxing and calling, she was able to get him back safe and sound in her arms. He was tired and hungry.

After our conversation, I realized that our Heavenly Father cares about our concerns, no matter how small.

And even in the face of such tragic circumstances on that fateful day, with the many millions of people praying and pleading, he heard the prayer of my little sister on behalf of her cat, Toby.

Folks, science and the intellectual community can do all the studies they want to disprove the power of prayer or the reality of our Heavenly Father.

For me, I don’t know how our Heavenly Father does it, but this I know, as surely as the sun shines: He does hear and answer our prayers.



Robin Quillon is publisher of The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at rquillon@tribdem.com.

        

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