When asked who in the history of the United States the greatest president was, most would say George Washington or Abraham Lincoln. There have been a lot of good presidents but perhaps fewer great presidents. Greatness is usually determined by how one handles great adversity. Certainly both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln persevered under extreme adversity and guided our nation through a dangerous juncture to make it what it is today.

Both Washington and Lincoln believed in the power of prayer. Both prayed for wisdom and strength to lead the nation. But all of Lincoln’s ideas came from a frame of reference of belief in divine providence. He expressed this belief best in his farewell address at Springfield, “I now leave . . . with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being, who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail.”

Americans seem to be obsessed with power. We have power walks, power drinks, power neckties, powerful SUV’s, computers with mind-boggling RAM power, power lunches, and a host of other empowerments.

The most underestimated and underused empowerment is prayer. Statistics verify that prayer works. Even medical science has substantiated the benefits of prayer. Why do so many people feel a lack of power in prayer even though the majority of Americans claim that they pray? Let’s look at six principles in Mark 11 and Matthew 21 that can give you power in prayer and change your life.

One of our most treasured possessions was given to us almost thirty years ago as a wedding gift. It’s a wooden plague with hand carved praying hands on it. Those praying hands not only remind of the carpenter of Nazareth’s praying hands but also the following story of “The Praying Hands” from an unknown author.

In 1490 two young friends, Albrecht Durer and Franz Knigstein, were struggling young artists. Since both were poor, they worked to support themselves while they studied art. Work took so much of their time and advancement was slow in coming. Finally, they reached an agreement that they would draw lots; one would work to support them while the other would study art. Albrecht won and began to study while Franz worked at hard labor to support them. They agreed that when Albrect was successful he would support Franz while he studied art.

“There goes poor Roy,” Aunt Gertie clucked as she craned her neck to look out the beauty parlor window where she sat for her weekly hair beautification.

Poor Roy rode down the street on his creaky bicycle loaded down with bulging gunnysacks. The oversized metal basket attached to the front handlebars overflowed with a menagerie of treasures collected along his route. Poor Roy, as he was called by some of the locals, could be described as one of the town characters that most towns have. He was somewhat eccentric or “odd turned” as my mother refers to such people. Some made fun of Roy’s severe stutter, which became worse when he became angry with his tormentors.

My little granddaughter pulled me by the hand. “Pooh”, she said as we sat on the floor to watch her favorite video. As an adult “Winnie the Pooh” seems rather slow moving and laid back. Preschoolers seem to love the gentle bear. My grandson’s favorite character is Tigger. Perhaps he identifies with the high energy, rambunctious escapades of Tigger.

A banner that I saw waving from the porch of a home seems to sum up the appeal of Winnie the Pooh. The banner displaying the pictures of Winnie and Tigger read: “Welcome friends”. Preschoolers and children seem to make and value friends easier than teens and adults. Winnie the Pooh seems to model acceptance and the value of friendship.

The company motto has stuck with me for several years for some reason. “We aim to please,” was the motivating mission of this small business. People took them at their word and they became a very successful and growing business.

We all live to please someone. The question is, “Whom do you live to please?” Some people please the public or their employers in order to succeed in politics or business. Some people endeavor to please everyone in order “to get along”. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9 NKJV). But there is a difference between being a peacemaker and making peace.

It was a surreal moment - a moment frozen in time that we will never forget. The terrorist attack on America September 11, 2001 was replayed before us on television as we watched in stunned silence. When the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center collapsed, the death and destruction amongst the ruble and twisted steel was referred to as “Ground Zero”.

Faith and heroic rescue attempts ensued in the aftermath of the horrible destruction. As we commemorate the anniversary of September 11th, let us remember the victims and pray for the families, friends, and fellow Americans who suffered terrible loss on that infamous day. Let us pray that God will bless America and help us preserve peace and freedom.

Ground Zero was the word the media used to describe the devastation in the aftermath of the appalling attacks on the World Trade Center. The infamous events of September 11th have caused millions of Americans to re-examine priorities and take inventory of their lives.

Stanley Praimnath was at Ground Zero that September 11th. Stanley, an assistant vice-president of Fuji Bank in New York City, was at his desk on the 81st floor of the South Tower. He arrived early to spend time reading his Bible and praying. “For some reason, I gave the Lord a little extra time of myself that morning in prayer,” he says. Fifteen minutes later a red-orange flash catches his eye. Outside his window flames cough black smoke as the result of American Airlines Flight 11 plunging into the World Trade Center North Tower. Stanley and his co-workers rush to the 78th floor elevators. At ground level a security guard meets them. “Don’t leave the building,” the guard says, “You’ll be safer inside because of falling debris.”

Recently as I sat in a McDonald’s in Central Illinois, there was a young man sitting on a stool enjoying his extra-value meal. I noticed that he was an employee of McDonald’s and developmentally challenged. He obviously had finished his workday and knew that it was payday. At least a half dozen times he went to the counter and loudly demanded his paycheck. After his job coach finally instructed him on proper etiquette, he received what he was due – his paycheck. In working with and ministering to the developmentally challenged over the years, I’ve noticed that even the most severely challenged come to know and expect payday.

The former governor of Illinois, George H. Ryan, made an astounding move before leaving office – he pardoned all convicted murderers sitting on death row. Whether he was right or wrong in doing so, I leave that to the legal professionals, politicians, and moral ethicists who are more astute in such matters than I am. We could ask those pardoned what they think.

When I walk through Foundation Park, I occasionally stop to read the bronze plaque that is embedded in one of the stone pillars at the entrance to Dr. Hall’s fields. This amazing inscription reads: “I, Dr. J. Carl Hall, announce to all patients owing me at the date of my death, that their accounts are automatically receipted in full, for all medical services rendered to them during my lifetime and not paid on or before the date of my death, and all and singular of said accounts are hereby forgiven.” – August 13, 1961.

I smelled the sweet fragrance of spring as I excitedly guided the U-Haul rental truck into the sleepy county seat of Eldora in north central Iowa 31 years ago. We were thrilled to be taking our first pastoral assignment. If the church board had not offered us a modest salary, I probably would have gladly paid them or some church to let me preach.

Many times first experiences are very special or memorable. We had many “first” experiences in the three and a half years we pastored our first church. It was there that our first child was born. Our first doctor’s Corvette was stolen by one of the young men we had brought to church. My first wedding lasted a total of five minutes. The wedding party ran to the front before my wife could play the first couple of measures of the processional. They wanted it simple and short.

Minnesota the land of 10,000 lakes is a beautiful state. My wife’s ancestors emigrated to Minnesota and North Dakota from Sweden. Recently we enjoyed a few days of vacation there. Minnesota is a fisherman’s paradise. I noticed a sign in the men’s restroom at a lake, it was probably meant for some of the resident Norwegians (HA! HA!) It hangs above one of those pull down baby changing tables. It read, “Please do not clean your fish on this table, this to change babies on only!”

Some claim that the Minnesota state bird is the mosquito. They certainly are big and plentiful. I enjoyed seeing and hearing the haunting but peaceful call of the loon. On an early morning walk, I came within a few yards of a great blue heron. It was magnificent. God has created a beautiful and wondrous world. We need to take time to enjoy it.

This Fourth of July we once again celebrate the independence and liberty secured by the brave patriots and forefathers of our country. They were on a mission. Their determination and sacrifice has made the United States of America the greatest example and bastion of freedom the world has ever known. We reaffirm that mission every time we “Pledge Allegiance” to the flag and “to the republic for which it stands.”

Little Jeremy was on a mission. At six years of age he was visibly moved at the plight of a third world country when his teacher told the class that many children were dying because they did not have clean water to drink.

Looking through a veil can be frustrating. Through the veil you can see the shadow of a thing but the real substance is hidden and unobtainable. Jacob worked for seven years to obtain his promised bride Rachel. Finally, on his wedding day, in joyful anticipation he took his bride. But after the veil was taken away, he found that his father-in-law had tricked him. Jacob was given Leah instead of the promised Rachel whom he loved. He had to work for another seven years to obtain his beloved bride. (Genesis 29) Evidently, Jacob could not see through the veil and was prevented from receiving the promised love of his heart.

Multitudes of people throughout the world live in fear and with a sense of stark terror. Bradford was one who wore a mask of calmness and normalcy during the day, but at night, the middle-aged computer programmer lived and slept in constant fear and harassment from “spirit beings.” As October 31st, Halloween, approached, he grew more apprehensive and agitated. Initiated into a pagan religion by his parents as a young man, he was often depressed and had begun to think that the only way out was to take his own life.

For most Americans, Halloween is viewed as simply superstition, fun, and frivolity.

There are those in the media who have recently pointed out Vice President Cheney’s penchant for the often repeated phrase, “If you will”. Some have asked why he prefers to preface his points with “If you will”. Is it a colloquialism from where he grew up or simply a euphemism? When he adds “If you will” is he just being polite? Is it a bad habit of language he has developed? Is it a deliberate, calculated way of making his point? I personally don’t know why he uses that phrase so much. But perhaps, if you will, it’s not all that important to know the reason why.

Noah, our three year old grandson, sat at the long table of people, deep in thought, while waiting for the church fellowship dinner to begin. “Mom,” he said, “Dad doesn’t have any sense!” “What do you mean your dad doesn’t have any sense?” his mother replied. “He doesn’t have any bucks!” he replied. “Any bucks?” she asked. “Yes. Dad said he didn’t have any change for me to put in the offering during church today,” he stated dejectedly.

Sometimes we all have a difficult time being understood. Noah, I’ll give you a buck for that illustration. While Noah was disappointed that he didn’t have any change for the church offering, I want to point out a different type of change.

A few years ago a movie was produced with an intriguing title – “Dead Man Walking”. The movie dealt with inmates on death row and the death penalty. As an inmate is escorted to the death chamber an announcement is made, “Dead man walking!” All the other inmates on death row watch the inmate walk the last few yards to their execution.

It was a sad movie without a lot of hope offered. But the Word of God teaches us that we are all “dead men walking”. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

The late George Harrison of the Beatles wrote and sang the song “My Sweet Lord”. It was a moving and intimate song of devotion to his Lord. Unfortunately “My Sweet Lord” was not directed toward the Lord, the Creator of the universe, and Savior of the world, but towards his lord, Hare Krishna. Krishna, one of the nine incarnations of the god Vishnu is a distinct Hindu sect. The ninth incarnation was Buddha.

While most of Hinduism tends to have a rather impersonal feeling about God, Krishna Consciousness stresses the importance of a personal relationship with Krishna.

I remember the house my father built with his own hands when I was a child. Much of it was built with used lumber. I remember pulling hundreds of nails from the old boards. We mixed the cement ourselves in an old cement mixer. Compared to most homes, it might have been considered just a simple cottage. But it was a labor of love.

I’ve got a more glorious mansion awaiting me in my Father’s House. The carpenter of Nazareth built it with nailed scarred hands. Jesus told His disciples, whose hearts were sorrowful because of their Lord’s predicted death on the cross, “Let not your hearts be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me.

What a surprise! I don’t really relish surprise birthday parties. As I unwrapped the gift wrapped box given to me by my special friend, out popped a white hound dog with black spots, bobbing it’s head profusely up and down and from side to side.

I’ve had numerous dogs in my life. My favorites are outside dogs. Pampered pooches are just a little too annoying. I guess I’ve never been close to a dog since Old Shep died. When I was a preschooler, my grandfather gave me a black and white border collie. It had been a cattle dog. It was probably given to me to watch over me in my many wanderings. My parents reminded me of the many times Old Shep grabbed me by the seat of my baggy pants and pulled me from the road when I got too close. Now Old Shep is long gone.

My mother almost ruined my life. Oh, she wanted to be a good mother, and she was in many ways. I don’t know where the idea first came to her. Perhaps it was the pop-psychology of the day, or one of Dr. Spock’s brainy ideas. Somehow, she thought that she could either increase my brainpower or make me into another Einstein by making me memorize Mother Goose nursery rhymes. I guess she was desperate for anything that might work. And being her first child, she probably didn’t know any better. So, she cajoled me, bribed me, and inspired me to memorize nursery rhymes at a very young age.

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praiseth her” (Proverbs 31:28). Many mothers live with a sense of guilt and frustration in measuring up to the standards of a good mother. One mother confided in me, “When will my family understand that I am not super-mom? Mothers are people too.”

How does the Bible describe the mother that pleases God? She possesses a sense of spiritual values: faith, courage, prayer, wisdom, joy, trustworthiness, dedication, kindness, and reverence. (Read Exodus 2:2; I Samuel 1:12; Proverbs 31; Psalms 113:9.)

My mom makes quilts. Quilting has almost become a lost art in America, although there seems to be a revival of it as an art form. Years ago quilting was done out of the need for warm bedding. Many women joined “quilting bees” where groups of women who enjoyed one another’s company got together and helped one another.

Quilts are now valued for their artistic form and have become valuable to collectors and treasured as heirlooms. If I had the artistic gifts, skills, and patience (and I don’t), I think that I would make a quilt.

The large living room window is constantly smudged and slathered up by Miki, our golden retriever. When we are gone from the house, Miki stands sentinel anticipating our return. When my wife pulls her car into the driveway, I may not hear anything, but Miki’s ears perk up and she runs to the window, poking her nose through the blinds for a glimpse of her “master’s” return. When the garage door starts to open, she gets even more excited. She starts to whine and bounds to the garage door with a joyful greeting.

In the mornings, after her outdoor romp, she runs to the bedroom door and whines until my wife finally opens the door and lets Miki in. Miki’s joy and compelling desire is to be with her “masters”.