Prayer with Shoes On
Read John 3:19-21; Ephesians 5:11
The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect.
-James 5:16 (TEV)
CHILD pornography is an overwhelming evil spreading fast in this age of technology. It reflects abuse of more children than we dare think about. As only one person, I have tended to feel my prayers were ineffective against this huge, growing evil. So, feeling helpless, I had stepped aside and done nothing more than pray for my own grandchildren to be protected. But when the nudging of God's Spirit applied the words from the book of James to my life, I realized that I could do something more.
I put on my walking shoes and began walking the streets of my small, quiet community consisting of over 300 homes. As I simply looked at each house (especially those with tricycles, toys, and other signs that children lived there), I prayed, "Where there is darkness let there be light. Let the light of Jesus Christ expose any hidden evil done to any child. Let his light expose child predators and abusers, and give courage to little ones to speak up."
As I turned the block for home, a police car sped by me with lights flashing. Someone needed help. I'll never know why. But it has been an encouragement to walk continually through my community, praying as I walk, knowing I have God's promise that my prayers for God's children have a powerful effect.
Valerie Runyan (New Mexico, USA)
Father, help us never to ignore the presence of evil among us. Teach us to oppose evil by our words and our actions. Amen.
Praying for our children is a first step in protecting them.
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Those hurt by pornography
