Me: Howdy Prodigal! Why the long face?
Prodigal: I made a mistake and now my friend is right ill with me. I am not sure how to make it all better.
Me: That can be a tough spot to be in. I don’t know if I can give you advice but let me share a story to lift our spirits.
The is from the book Voices of the Faithful by Beth Moore
Dressed in a fireman’s hat, suspenders, shorts and rain boots, the 4-year old missionary kid spots a small flame burning beneath the guards’ teapot. “Bobby” runs to extinguish it. In his excitement, he trips and lands headfirst onto the prayer mat where two Muslim guards kneel.
Not even stunned by the fall, Bobby kneels with his hands clasped ready to join the prayer session. He looks up at the bewildered men and says, “Daddy told me that when you do that talk and stand up and down a lot, you guys are praying. So watcha prayin’ about? Did you know that Jesus loves you and Daddy says that’s why we pray? So don’tcha know what you’re prayin’ about? Cuz you haven’t answered me.”
Prayer is a serious business for a Muslim. One must pray five times a day while facing the distant holy city of Mecca. Devout Muslims are never without their prayer beads, and they repeat the Koran and a prayer over and over in Arabic, even though most do not understand this language.
All over Bobby’s city, when the call to prayer sounds over the loud speakers, Muslims cleanse themselves with water so they can pray. Some men go to the mosque, but most pull out their prayer mats and do it right where they are. Inside homes, women do the same.
As prayer time ends with the guards, Bobby pats the men’s shoulders and says, “Don’t worry. My family will pray for you tonight so tomorrow, you’ll know watcher prayin’ about.”
Sue, West Africa
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…This is good and pleases the Lord our Savior who wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1,3-4
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
