Page 2 - 2016OnThePathMay01

2 – Saturday, April 30, 2016 – El Dorado NEWS-TIMES
A word about the power of Prayer
If you look up the meaning of the word prayer in the dictionary, it will tell you that prayer is:
• an address (as a petition) to God, or a set order of words used in praying
• as in an earnest request or wish,
• or the act or practice of praying to God, or a religious service consisting chiefly of prayer or prayers.
Prayer is universal in all major religions and a daily practice for billions of people the world over in their private lives apart from any reli- gious service. In those cases it’s personal — very personal.
In those private moments, whether they take place when someone is kneeling in the privacy of their bedroom or hanging upside down in a well, the one who is praying turns their undi- vided attention to God, a Supreme Being, whom they believe will hear, listen and take into con- sideration their entreaty.
Whether it is a parent praying for the healing
of a child, a husband praying for the ability to feed his family, a wife praying for a friend in times of trouble, or a government leader praying for direction — many find solace and release in moments of prayer.
From the time the Pilgrims gave thanks in prayer for their voyage to the New World, prayer has been an important element for many in America.
Payer is credited in numerous cases during the American Revolution. General George Washington wrote that, “By the all powerful hand of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human expectation, for I had two horses shot out from under me, four bullet holes through my coat, yet escaped unhurt.”
It has been widely reported that many of the Founding Fathers of our country prayed as they worked through the process of establishing our government.
By the time of the Civil War slaves were
praying for their freedom. By the 1920’s women were praying for the right to vote.
During World Wars I and II family members prayed for the safe return of their sons, and in some cases daughters, to return from the war- front. Those pleas would be repeated later in Korea, Viet Nam, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Prayer would also be an instrument of hope and survival during the Great Depression and numerous natural disasters that have befallen parts of our country.
In essence prayer has been part of the fabric of our country from its earliest beginnings.
This issue of “On The Path” focuses on how prayer has impacted the lives of leaders and personalities we have come to know. Their lives, in one way or another has affected ours, and now we get to hear their stories. We hope they provide inspiration for all of our readers.
Table of Contents
Prayer in my daily life — Rep Matthew J. Shepherd .......................................................... 3 Victory Bible Camp .......................................................................................................................... 4 Camp Kurios ....................................................................................................................................... 4 Marrable Hill Chapel ....................................................................................................................... 4 Young people rock ............................................................................................................................ 5 Seeking guidance from God a powerful experience — Kev Moye. .................................. 5 Bible Baptist Church ........................................................................................................................ 6 Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ ............................................................ 6 The power of prayer in a time of tragedy — Lt. Charles Smith ...................................... 7 Norphlet First Baptist Church ....................................................................................................... 7 What is prayer for those of us in public life — Rep. John Baine .................................... 8 Lean on prayer not just in hard times — Sen. John Boozman ........................................ 8 Brighter Tomorrow Memorial Reception ................................................................................. 9 First Baptist Smackover .................................................................................................................. 9 Summer fun! ....................................................................................................................................... 10 First Presbyterian Church .............................................................................................................. 10 Victory Church .................................................................................................................................. 10 Prayer answered for son with medical issues — Sen. Bobby J. Pierce ......................... 11 Importance of prayer — Rep. Bruce Westerman ................................................................. 11 Ebenezer Baptist Church ................................................................................................................ 12 Lawson Baptist Church ................................................................................................................... 12 First Baptist Church El Dorado .................................................................................................... 12 A prayerful reading list ................................................................................................................... 13 Board examine’s University of Iowa’s prayer spaces ............................................................. 14 A monk’s secrets for prized bread ................................................................................................ 14 Step by step through a day in conversation with God — Star Parker ............................ 15 The power of prayer on the battlefield — Sen. Tom Cotton ............................................ 16
Coming In The Next Edition Of
On The Path
A quarterly publication highlighting matters of faith and values.
At local churches established before 1930.
If your church was established prior to this time, call managing editor
Randal Curtman at 870-862-6611
or by email at
rcurtman@eldoradonews.com
A look