By REV. DR JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

We can live without friends. In fact, most people don't have more than two or three genuine friends. If we take Shakespeare's counsel, we'll “grapple them to our soul with hoops of steel.”

We can live without much money. Most of the world's people do it every day. We can live without all kinds of benefits—a 401K, beach front condo, etc. You get the idea.

But there are some very good reasons we can't live without prayer. Want to know some?

First, lots of people are carrying around a couple of suitcases full of worries, anxieties, and cares. Those suitcases are heavy weights. They pull us down, down, down. Prayer allows us to get somebody else to carry that baggage. I bet you know who that someone is. In fact, the Bible encourages us to throw all our anxieties on God because he cares for us. Most people don't care for us and therefore are not willing to carry any of our load. God cares and God carries.

Second, prayer is an abject admission that the answer lies somewhere beyond us, beyond human ability. Prayer confesses, “I can't fix it.” Prayer says, “I don't have everything, but God does.” As Bishop T.D. Jakes said, “Prayer causes humility to break out in your spirit.” Prayer is different from positive thinking. Prayer sings, “My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary.” If God can't do it, it can't be done.

Third, there's no better way to get divine direction than through prayer. Jonah is a good example of a man who made decisions without prayer. After he went off exactly opposite than God's will for his life, God appointed a big fish to get him back on tack. Now, if God's plan or direction or guidance or counsel gets us into trouble, then he also can get us out of it. The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him (God) and he will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5,6).

Fourth, prayer by its very nature strengthens our intimacy with God. Pastor Abner Calleiro ministers to our Spanish people who are integrated into the entire fellowship. I also want to get next to Pastor Abner because he has a personal intimacy with God that has been built by years and years of fervent and bold prayer. You and I, however, do not have to go through anyone to get to God. Don't need a man, an operator, nobody. We can make a direct call anytime, anywhere and we always get through.

Fifth, in a marvelous way, prayer changes you and me as we pray. I believe most of us would admit we need some changes and even more, we want some changes. As we sit and talk with someone who is full of love and joy and patience and forgiveness, it just has to rub off. I sat down recently and talked to Georgia's Former Governor, Carl Sanders. His integrity, his emphasis on his family, and trust in God were so refreshing that, I believe, it had an effect on me.

Now think about sitting down with the owner and sustainer and redeemer of the whole enchilada. What do you think that would do to you? Prayer changes our attitudes, situations, philosophy, and more.

Sounds like we all should be praying more!

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville.

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