I’m praying for you

 

This month I want to tell you a story about Ben Turner. For those of you that don’t know Ben, he’s a retired homebuilder, a very astute businessman and is married to his lovely wife Becky. One day Ben called me and asked if we could meet. He said he had something to give me.

 

When we met, Ben had a paper bag in his hand, but before he opened the bag he said, “I want to tell you about my morning ritual.” Ben shared with me that every morning the first thing he does is to have a cup of coffee and he uses this time to pray. Ben says that as he stirs his coffee he will often pray for other people. He told me about a friend of his whom he used to work with in Florida and this gentleman has a son. Ben said, “I think the world of this young man and I pray for him every morning.” “Then,” Ben continued, “I want you to know that I also pray for your daughter in Scotland.” My daughter Elizabeth is working on a Masters Degree in Edinburgh, Scotland. We miss her terribly and pray for her everyday. To hear that Ben also prays for her every morning brought tears to my eyes. But Ben wasn’t finished.

 

He said, “And I also want you to know that I pray for you and your wife and Gray.” Then Ben opened the brown paper bag, reached in and removed two silver spoons and handed them to me. He said, “I want to give you these spoons. One is for Elizabeth and one for you so that each morning when she stirs her coffee and when you stir your coffee, you’ll know that I’m praying for you and your family.” I’ve experienced some holy, grace-filled moments as a pastor, and this was certainly one of them. The silver spoons were a lovely gesture, a tangible symbol of Ben’s commitment to prayer; but more important than the spoons were the words, “I want you to know that I’m praying for you and your family.”

 

What a blessing to know that Ben is praying for us. Praying for each other must be one of the most loving, caring things that we as the Body of Christ can do for each other. When you pray for someone you’re asking God to bless another person’s life. It is a selfless act of love that strengthens the bond of love that we have for each other. In this case, Ben is communicating and interceding with God about our family and I’m grateful. In fact I was so grateful that after Ben left I prayed, “Lord, thank you for Ben. Bless him and Becky and thank you Lord that you allow me the privilege of getting to meet folks like Ben and to share our lives together.” Prayer draws us closer together.

 

In February, we’re going to focus on prayer, both on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. I’m praying that the Lord will use this time to strengthen the bonds of love that we have for each other through our focus on prayer. I’m praying that Bethel will become known as a praying church, because the church that prays together, and prays for each other, will be held together by the unbreakable bonds of Christ’s love. I want to thank Ben Turner for his prayers. Let’s follow Ben’s lead and pray for each other. May God bless Ben Turner and may God bless Bethel Church.