Prayer

Empty Chair

Author Unknown

A man’s daughter had asked the local pastor to come and pray with her father. When the pastor arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows and an empty chair beside his bed. The pastor assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit

“I guess you were expecting me,” he said.

“No, who are you?”

“I’m the new associate at your local church,” the pastor replied. “When I saw the empty chair, I figured you knew I was going to show up.”

“Oh yeah, the chair,” said the bedridden man. “Would you mind closing the door?” Puzzled, the pastor shut the door.

“I’ve never told anyone this, not even my daughter,” said the man. “but, all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church, I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it always went right over my head. I abandoned any attempt at prayer,” the old man continued, “until one day, about four years ago, my best friend said: ‘Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here’s what I suggest. Sit down on a chair, place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It’s not spooky because He promised, “Ill be with you always.” then, just speak to him, and listen in the same way you’re doing with me right now.’ So, I tried it, and I’ve liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I’m careful though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she’d either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm.”

The pastor was deeply moved by the story, and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey. Then, he prayed with him, and returned to the church.

Two nights later, the daughter called to tell the pastor that her Daddy had died that afternoon.

“Did he seem to die in peace?” he asked.

“Yes. When I left the house around two o’clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me one of his corny jokes, and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But, there was something strange, in fact, beyond strange - kinda weird. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on a chair beside the bed.”

~~~

“Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”

Helen Steiner Rice

Whenever I am troubled,

And lost in deep despair,

I bundle all my troubles up,

And go to God in prayer…

I tell Him I am heartsick,

And lost and lonely, too,

That my mind is deeply burdened,

And I don’t know what to do…

But I know He stilled the tempest,

And calmed the angry sea,

And I humbly ask if in His love,

He’ll do the same for me…

And then I just keep Quiet,

And think only thoughts of Peace,

And if I abide in Stillness,

My “restless murmurings” cease.

~~~

YOU DIDN’T ASK!

 - - Anonymous - -

I got up early one Morning,

And rushed right into the day.

I had so much to accomplish,

That I didn’t have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled upon me,

And heavier came each task.

Why doesn’t God help Me? I wondered.

He answered, “You didn’t ask.”

I wanted to see joy and beauty,

But the day toiled on, gray and bleak.

I wondered why God didn’t show me,

He said, “But, you didn’t seek”

I tried to come into God’s presence,

I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided,

“My child, you didn’t knock”

I woke up early this Morning,

And paused before entering the day.

I had so Much to accomplish,

That I had to take time to pray.