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Fair Oaks United Methodist Church
1480 Joyner Avenue
Marietta, GA 30060

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I was watching an interview on television the other morning with a man who was trapped in an elevator for 41 hours. It’s not the first time this has ever happened, and occasionally the possibility of this happening does occur to me when I use elevators. I’ve always wondered what I would do, how I would handle being trapped for any length of time. So I was interested in hearing about his experience.

As it happened, this gentleman was working on a weekend and took a break to go outside when the elevator malfunctioned. The lights in the elevator remained on and a security camera caught on tape the whole experience. Like any one of us, he tried to find his way out, he paced, he napped, he pushed the alarm button, he yelled for help. Not a good way to spend your weekend.

The interviewer asked about his feelings and asked how he handled being trapped. She even asked the question (that crosses all of our minds) of how he relieved himself. The gentleman candidly answered all the questions with good humor.

And then the interviewer - usually so articulate - hemmed and hawed with her last question. It went something like this: "Did you er, uh ever think to, uh, (lowers voice) ask for extra help?" And he, looking very uncomfortable, replied rather forcibly that yes, he did towards the last. Anybody would.

What struck me, somewhat incredulously, was how very uncomfortable they both were in asking and answering a simple question: Did you pray? He had no problem in going into the details of bodily functions on national television. But to admit to praying?!!!! Only under duress.

During our Wednesday Program I told this story to the teens. How blessed we are to be able to come to a place where we can talk about spiritual things. Where we can talk about the need to pray. Where we can pray for one another without embarrassment. Where we are each encouraged by the prayers prayed for us.

How blessed we are to be able to go to God, knowing that God lovingly hears us.

We are encouraged to pray every day, all the time. We are encouraged to pray for one another. I like the paraphrase in The Message of Ephesians 6:13-18:

"Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind and drops out."

Keep praying...and don’t be embarrassed to talk about it!

Pastor Jan