items of interest

When Pastor Jack Hayford's mother was terminally ill, his first response was to turn to prayer. But instead of asking for healing, he found himself praying, "O Lord, take Mama home." Although he loved his mother dearly, she had lived a full life, and he didn't want her to suffer.

He writes, "... about two weeks into this mixed-feeling prayer ... the Lord spoke: 'Stop praying that way. Now.'"

Startled, he asked God how he should pray. In response, he felt a peaceful and strong conviction of God's presence and care for his mother. Along with this certainty came a message specifically for him, which was, "Your one responsibility is to pray for her to be 'raised up.' ... to pray for life, not death.'"

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