DO YOU KNOW THE SPECIAL VALUE OF PRAYER? My wife and I have what is now called a “blended” family. You see, my first wife died of an in-operable brain tumor back in 1971. She and I had three children. Then, in 1973, I re-married and my new (recently divorced) wife had six children. Before we walked down the aisle and took our marriage vows, we spent many hours talking with each other about the problems we could have with the new family our marriage would create. As Christians, we realized we could not do this alone. In addition, we understood we could not possibly anticipate all that might happen in this new family situation. Therefore, we just naturally turned to the Lord in prayer and asked Him for his wisdom and help.

Now, thirty-five years later, those children (plus two more we adopted) are all grown. Most of them are college educated, married, scattered, and settled into their own families. In short, we can look back and see the two families have blended together quite well. We had many wonderful times as we all grew and matured together. Of course, we had a wide variety of problems, but with the Lord’s help, and our many fervent prayers, we were able to survive all of those storms.

Let me also say this, before and after those storms we had many tears, lots of fun, and laughs galore. Now, when we all get together for a family reunion - we always talk about the variety of different memories each of us has, priceless memories of the events our blended family shared during those never-to-be-forgotten years of growing together.

These days when the family gets together, the kids tell us in excited detail about their lives now, what they are doing and how they are striving to make their many dreams come true for themselves and their children. Naturally, our kids ask us for advice. We give it and they listen to what we have to say, but they seldom do what we suggest. Later, after they all pack up and go home – we miss the conversations, the spontaneous, shared love and the heartfelt warmth of just being together with – our family.

As I have talked about our blended family here, I hope you understand, as we do, that the real father and leader of our family and yours is God our Heavenly Father. As a people made in God’s image, we are His kids, His family. Just as my wife and I find delight in each other and in each one of our eleven children when we are together, so God, in the same way, finds delight in us when as his children, we visit Him in prayer. I think His heart is warmed when we pray and tell him what we are doing with all He has given us. He must love it when we express our gratitude and share our time, experiences and concerns with Him, our always-listening Heavenly Father.

While raising our blended family, let me tell you the major fact we’ve learned about God and prayer. It is this: when we pray to the Lord, we now see that prayer time as a very personal, intimate visit with our Abba Father. In many ways we think when he hears from us - His kids, His children - it is much like the wonderful visits we now have from time to time with our children, We believe God, our Father who is in Heaven, is delighted to have us visit Him and share everything in our lives with Him. Of course, during those prayer time visits, we often ask for His advice. We hear what He says and then, you know how it is, we seldom follow His advice. Even so, I have a feeling deep in my heart, that when we stop praying and go away from God, He gets lonesome. He misses us. His heart yearns for renewed contact and communication with us, His children.

I believe God’s desire is for us to take some time out of our busy lives to have many warm, intimate prayer-time visits - with Him. Why? I think it is because God is lonely for His kids. He wants to hear from us. He wants to keep in touch with us. He wants us to visit and spend time and talk with Him.

Most of all, I think He wants you and I - and all of his other children - to know the special value He puts on the very intimate, personal, and heartfelt sharing of our concerns and joys during those times when we are together with Him in prayer.

By: Terry Weber