Johnny, a very bright five-year-old, told his daddy he’d like to have a baby brother and, along with his request, offered to do whatever he could to help. His dad, a very bright thirty-five-year-old, paused for a moment and then replied, “I’ll tell you what, Johnny. If you pray every day for two months for a baby brother, I guarantee that God will give you one!” Johnny responded eagerly to his dad’s challenge and went to his bedroom early that night to start praying for a baby brother.

He prayed every night for a whole month, but after that time, he began to get skeptical. He checked around the neighborhood and found out that what he thought was going to happen had never occurred in the history of the neighborhood. You just don’t pray for two months and then, whammo – a new baby brother. So, Johnny quit praying. After another month, Johnny’s mother went to the hospital. When she came back home, Johnny’s parents called him into the bedroom. He cautiously walked into the room, not expecting to find anything, and there was a little bundle lying right next to his mother. His dad pulled back the blanket and there was – not one baby brother – but two! His mother had twins! Johnny’s dad looked down at him and said, “Now aren’t you glad you prayed?” Johnny hesitated a little and then looked up at his dad and said, “Yes, but aren’t you glad I quit when I did?”

Johnny’s dad knew in advance that Johnny’s prayer would be answered. And our heavenly Father knows in advance whether or not our prayers will be answered too. He can see the future. And the Bible also tells us that God knows our wants and needs, even before we ask. So why pray?

Come join us in the month of February as we start a new sermon series, “Vertical: Communicating with God.” We will be looking at why pray, how to I pray for myself and others, and how do I listen to God. So, plan now and come join us on this journey beginning on February 4, 2024, at 10 a.m. Invite a friend to join you too.