One of the things we often fail to realize is how much we need each other in this life. We are “programmed,” in a sense, to live independently–to live with an external façade that says we are in control of our lives and everything is good. To depend on someone else or to acknowledge needing someone else is understood as a sign of weakness. Such an idea could not be farther from the truth. When God made us, He made us to be in relationship. He told Elijah in 1 Kings, “The journey is too much for you.” It is. The journey of life is too much, thus God made us to be in community–to be in relationship with Him and with others. Michael and Marnie’s experience through his military service mirrored this idea. They were tempted to do it alone, but in the end, they invited the community of faith into their lives. You can hear a part of that by listening to the prayer we prayed for Michael prior to his surgery. That was but one moment of many when the community of faith played an important role for the Waldrops.

Not only that, but what the community does and what faith does best is prayer. We prayed for Michael and Marnie. For them, the comfort and strength that came from that knowledge was significant and sustaining. That opportunity is available to you as well. I encourage you to take the opportunity and let someone pray for you. Leave a request here on this site. Go to your local church and talk to your pastor. Ask others to pray for you. Seek the Lord. Don’t try to do this alone. We are called to be together–to bear one another’s burdens–and that is what we would like to do, in part, on this site.

Blessings and peace,
David D. Swanson
Senior Pastor
First Presbyterian Church of Orlando

If you would like more information about prayer and the difference it can make in your life, visit http://www.fpco.org/.