Ancient Roots 

     This is as close to heaven as I will ever get in this life. If I were invited to the White House, it would never bring the kind of peace and deep joy I sense here in the presence of people calling on the Lord. 

     The words of Jim Cymbala, long time pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle, in one of New York's nastiest communities. 

     In his book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, he writes about Tuesday night prayer meetings, which he considers essential to Sunday worship. "It is there that people express their hearts, needs, desires and praises." Prayer, he says, has ancient roots. 

     "The first mention of prayer occurs in Genesis 4:26, before Christ, before David, even before Moses (and Abraham). 'At that time, men began to call on the name of the Lord.'" 

     "A godly strain of men and women distinguished themselves from their ungodly neighbors by calling on the Lord. They affirmed their dependence on God. Their original name was 'those who call on the name of the Lord.'"

     "On some unmarked day...a God-placed instinct in human hearts came alive. People sensed that if you are in trouble, you can call out to God, he will answer you! He doesn't turn a deaf ear."

We may continue this coming week.

Jimmy