The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher

Unity is sweet. Ask any husband and wife. Ask any leader about his staff. In fact, the Bible has something to say about unity: “How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity...for there the Lord commanded his blessing” (Psalm 133).

Many of the churches and ministries on the south side of Atlanta have experienced an extraordinary degree of unity. Circumstances thought totally impossible five years ago are now reality. Not only are different denominations praying together, but also laughing at one another and ourselves in love (you would have to be an unwelcome fly at Fayetteville IHOP Tuesday mornings to completely understand that — so trust me).

As a group of ministers were planning the upcoming Prayer Meeting for Prodigals, it was Gray Harwell who pointed out that our blessed unity must be purposeful. True, it would be of little consequence if we all sat around the fire and sang “Kum Ba Ya.” Unity's greatest test and highest use encourage us to let loose the blessings of unity to meet the needs of people.

It's another step. I, for one, have luxuriated in the experience of unity. It feels so good to know you have friends of different beliefs, hues, and traditions. So good! How good? I love it.

So good that you want others to taste it and enjoy it. However not everyone wants a part of it now. Perhaps, this is where we have been paralyzed: unwilling to go ahead spreading the blessings of unity until every church and every pastor come on board.

What God has shown us is this: let the river of his blessing flow now!

That's part of what's behind the Prayer Meeting for Prodigals, Dec. 2, 7 p.m., at Fayetteville Church of God. We as the church of the Fayette area coming together to pray for real, pressing needs in the life of our community. How many prodigals are out there? More than you and I could ever estimate.

We realize that parents, particularly, have racked their brain and faith to get their kids back home—emotionally, spiritually, and physically. The one resource we pastors we can offer is our best: prayer — believing, deep, abiding prayer. And that's what will happen that Thursday night at the intersection of Georgia Highways 92 and 85, South.

What's next after the Prodigal Prayer Meeting? I don't know. But I believe it will be in the direction of ministering to the needs of our community—especially the big one of Jesus Christ.

By the way, if you can't make it Thursday night, Prodigals will be the heart of the First Thursday Prayer Meeting, also Dec. 2, 12 noon at Sams Auditorium in Fayetteville.

Seven years ago Clinton campaigners were saying, “It's the economy, stupid. It's about the economy.” Now we on the south side are saying “It's prayer, brother. It's about prayer.”

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

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