Praying Mommas

I am reading a biography of George W. Truett, who served as pastor for FBC Dallas for fifty years. In the book, the story is recounted of how his mother prayed for 26 years for her husband to be saved. He commented he often came upon her in some secluded spot in tears pouring her heart out to God. She prayed fervently for the salvation of her numerous children.

Not everyone has the privilege of growing up with a praying Momma. I never heard my mother pray out loud one time. I am sure she prayed privately. What a blessing for a child to grow up knowing parents pray for them.

When I look back at my formative years, I am thankful for three people. I am thankful for my Aunt Nan. She prayed for me a great deal. She took interest in me getting to church when I was young. We did not go all the time, but my first memories of gathering with people to worship was with Aunt Nan at Keltys United Methodist Church. I recall being asked to voice public prayers in the worship service as a child. That is unusual. Aunt Nan must have known something of God's plan for me.

I am thankful for a lady named Doris Roberts. Mrs. Doris is in her seventies now. She is married to my pastor Charles M. Roberts. As a teenager, I hung out in the wee hours of the morning at a girl's house who lived right across the street from them. Mrs. Doris one day looked at her living room window saw me there and commented to her husband, "I am praying for that young man to get saved." God heard her prayers and did save me. God also planted me in the church where they served. None of us could have known back then that God would choose me to preach.

Finally, I am thankful for the prayers of my wife. In 8th grade she made a committment to pray for her future husband. I was not saved at the time. God heard those prayers. He came after me rescuing my soul in a very dramatic way. I awoke the other night and saw Brenda sitting on the floor by the bed in tears. I thought she had fallen out of bed and hurt herself. She was praying for me and our sons. What a blessing. I have awakened in the night to find her hand on me praying God give me messages. She is a wonderful woman of prayer. I thank God for her.

Give thanks for those praying mommas in your life. Give thanks for those who pleaded with God to open your eyes and heart to the gospel message. I am forever indebted to Aunt Nan, Doris Roberts and Brenda. My life will never be the same because of their fervent petitions lifted for me and what God did in response.