Christian Living

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Prayer Strategy
© 2007

by

Stephen A. Peterson


“Eh, I don’t read the newspapers anymore,” said a man sitting next to Bob Prieto in the Tinker Air Force Base Barber Shop. “The newspapers these days are so full of bad news and anti-American, treasonous left-wing bias.” It’s so darn sickening.”

“Hey, brother, I know how you feel!” said a gray-haired man sitting in a chair getting his hair cut by a sympathetic barber. “In fact, I used to feel exactly the way you did as well until I began praying my way through the newspaper.”

Several individuals asked him for an explanation, he stated he just began reading until he arrived at a negative or distressing piece of news—that did not take much effort or time—then he stopped to ask God for His help in dealing with the bad or negative news and blessings for those involved or affected in some way. Korean hostages taken in Afghanistan: “O Lord Jesus, come to their rescue, set them free, give them the strength to not give up in the face of difficulty and evil.” Flooding in Texas: “Almighty God, protect these your children. Given them what they need in the face of this disaster.” Pregnant woman murder in Ohio: “Lord receive her and her pre-born child’s soul and, Lord, comfort her grieving loved ones who are suffering unthinkable hurt and pain from the untimely and horrendous death of their daughter, sister and friend.”

Since then, Bob has been trying this method of prayerfully reading a newspaper, magazine or viewing particularly negative and disturbing news and information. He found it to be an excellent way to deal with the negative news and information placed before him. Instead of feeling angry, incensed or depressed, Bob developed a warm sense of God’s presence, nearness and an empathetic association with the human family worldwide. He also realized that neither he nor the rest of humanity could solve the world’s difficulties and problems alone without the presence and help of God.

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