This morning I was privileged to go to the Summit County Pastors Prayer Breakfast at the Haven of Rest with two dear friends. Pastor Jim Stetler is an associate pastor at Cornerstone Church and one of the leading laymen in Akron in such efforts. Shirley Chuchu is the energy behind much of the Bible Reading that goes on for 90 straight hours the first week in May, and is the push behind getting pastors and churches involved. I was proud to be with them.
It was great to be in a concert of prayer, asking God first of all to set a fire for prayer in the hearts of pastors. And then I received a very special blessing. Hank Richards, a Catholic lay leader who was there (I have met him in other settings because he is a close friend to Pastor Jim and we have worked on projects together)unexpectedly prayed for me. When I thanked him, he said with candor, "Oh, I pray for you every single day."
That blew me away. The thought that someone I don't see often was lifting me to Jesus on a daily basis meant so very much to me, and I was humbly aware that Hank is responsible for much of the blessings and protection that come my way. Then it occured to me that I might be the only one praying for some of the people God brings to my mind. To have someone for whom to pray is a tremendous privilege and huge responsibiltiy. I want to live up to it.
"I'll be praying for you." What an amazing gift to get. What an incredible gift to give.
