By Ken Askew

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”  ESV Acts 2:42

If the Lord has brought to pass the plan and desire of my heart, I am in India as this article goes to print fellowshipping with fellow Christians from across south Asia.  Occasions such as these don’t come to pass on a regular basis and I am most fortunate and grateful for the opportunity.  I’ll share more about my trip in the weeks to come.

Several people have asked how they could help me during the trip to which I can only answer; “pray.”  Too often we pay much lip service to prayer without taking stock of the sheer privilege of prayer and the power of prayer.

Yet biblical examples of prayer and the power of prayer abound.  Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns the night the Philippian jailer was saved.  A prayer meeting was taking place at Marks’ home the night Peter was miraculously freed from jail.  Praying for others, intercessory prayer, was quite simply built into the fabric of the Apostle Paul’s very being.  And who among us has not memorized ‘…give us this day our daily bread…’

E.M. Bounds, a pastor, soldier and great man of prayer from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century says:  “They thrive best, and get most out of life, who live in the living present.  They pray best who pray for today’s needs, not for tomorrows…”

Perhaps you’d like to be a part of this Asian trip.  If you would like to participate, then pray for our daily needs.  Pray for safe travels to and fro for myself, my pastor and others who will be meeting us there.  Pray that our fragile bodies adjust well to the climate, food and cultural differences with ease.  Pray that our meetings are not disrupted.  Finally, pray that our fellowship serves to edify the believers and most of all that our words and actions would glorify God; His will be done!

If you are up to the challenge, then I’d ask you to pray, as the early church prayed in the book of Acts, for our daily needs till we return on the evening of September 2.  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

God bless.

Ken worships at Tharptown Baptist Church in Russellville.  Truth Matters articles are available online at www.truthmatters.us.  Comments are welcome and may be sent to kenaskew@me.com.