By Judy Kilgore
Religion Editor

Once again, my “Precious Gems” selection for this week comes from the bulletin at Providence United Methodist Church and Rev. Jim Ellison. The Prayer Team at Providence really came up with a neat idea...a devotional booklet written by Providence members to be used in their prayer time during the month of December. In order for you to get the whole picture, I need to reprint the entire selection on the front of the bulletin...it's called `Prayer Power at Providence.” Jim writes:

“Prayer is powerful. I know that God hears and answers our prayers. The Prayer Team would like to celebrate the power of prayer at Providence by compiling a devotional book to be used in your prayer time during the month of December. The entries in the book will be written by you, our Providence family. The stories will be records of your experiences with God and the way He has touched each of you. I was once again reminded of the importance of prayer in a poem that was forwarded to me by my son. I'd like to share it with you:

I knelt to pray but not for long,

I had too much to do.

I had to hurry and get to work

For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,

And jumped up off my knees.

My Christian duty was now done

My soul could rest at ease.

All day long I had no time

To spread the word of cheer.

No time to speak of God to friends,

They'd laugh at me I'd fear.

No time, no time, too much to do,

That was my constant cry.

No time to give to souls in need

But at last the time, the time to die.

I went before the Lord,

I came, I stood with downcast eyes.

For in his hands God held a book;

It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said

`Your name I cannot find,

I once was going to write it down...

But I never found the time.'

Do you have time to pray? See you Sunday at the church that prays.”

I would love to see a copy of their devotional book. Personal experiences of people you know have a way of really touching your heart. Thanks again, Jim, for some wonderful thoughts to ponder.

Bible verse for the week...

“First I tell you to pray for all people, asking God for what they need and being thankful to him.” 1 Timothy 2:1

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