I well remember the family crisis. My sister-in-law faced surgery for a brain aneurysm. The surgeons agreed the surgery could result in permanent paralysis, but if the aneurysm ruptured, it would take her life. Surgery became vital, the strategy being to cut off the blood supply to the aneurysm. However, in the process, capillaries supplying blood to that side of the brain would be eliminated. Surgery, being the only alternative, was performed. The surgeons watched in amazement as the video screen displayed capillaries rushing to the affected side of her brain, quickly supplying the blood flow. How did they know to do that? Are we not fearfully and wonderfully made? (Psalm 139:14) It was prayer dear friends that brought her through. Even the surgeon shouted "Hallelujah!" This is just one account of many in my own personal life of answers to prayer.

Had Germany invaded England at one particular point in time in World War 2, England would not have survived. It has been said the war was won by mothers and grandmothers on their knees.

Talk to anyone you meet and you will find an amazing answer to a prayer in their life experience.

In 1 Samuel 17:45, David said to Goliath: "Thou comest to me with a sword and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." We have many "Goliah's" in our world today. Without dependence upon God and His principles, we don't have a prayer!

Apathy erodes vigilance, leaving an open door for the enemy.

Many have asked the question. "Where was God on 9-11?" The answer: God has not been welcomed in public places. The Ten Commandments have been removed. Prayer has been taken from the public school. Christians who take a stand for righteousness and morality are ridiculed, even persecuted.

A dedicated, lifelong, uncompromising stand in a praying believer's life keeps up the hedge of protection surrounding a nation. (Ezekiel 13:5) In this stance, prayer becomes vital.

In a catastrophe such as 9-11, no one questions the prayers offered in public places. The pain and suffering is too great for anyone to protest. It is when things begin to calm down and the initial shock has settled that prayers slide back into complacency. God is ignored and the hedge begins to break down, day by day a little at a time, making God someone to seek only in emergencies.

We must pray daily as if our lives depended upon it, which it does!

Pray for those who are in authority. There are multitudes of those in our midst needing our prayers. Consider our policemen, firemen, city officials, teachers and administrators, lawyers, judges, pastors, doctors, nurses, health care workers and many others who influence every day lives.

Please pray that God would grant these workers wisdom. (James 1:5)

Pray that our leaders would have integrity, accountability, honesty, and character.

Read Psalm 26. (Ask those many people who lost their life savings in the Enron scandal if character doesn't count!)

Pray leaders would respect the Bible and the truth of God's Word. (Eph. 3:9-10)

Pray for our leaders to have respect for the sanctity of life, from the unborn to the oldest elderly person. (Exodus 20:13)

Pray for those who lead to be God-fearing, family loving people who are faithful to their spouses and children. (Malachi 2:15-16)

Most of all, pray for America to be shielded from evil, without and within. Pray for a long lasting, sincere revival across this beloved land.