It is not a fun way to be awakened. This morning as I slept soundly, I heard my name called, loudly, by someone at my bedside. I jumped out of the bed saying "Yes? what is it?" I was surprised that my room was still, no one there. I ran down the hall to my parents bedroom thinking something had happened and one of them had called my name. They were both still fast asleep. I went back to my room and sleep was replaced with the wonder of what was wrong. The clock read, 6:52AM. I could smell the wonderful aroma of coffee, which I fix every night to come on and be ready for me in the morning, and went down to fill my big, fat, white mug. I began the preparation of the ceremonial oats (for those of you keeping track, daddy is currently on a NO raisin cycle), and the phone rang. I answered, hearing the voice of an old friend with an urgent prayer request. She had been awake since 5AM and had talked to a friend about calling me for prayer. I asked her what time that was, "6:45 or so," was the answer. 1 Samuel 3:3-4 Then God called out, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Yes? I'm here." Then he ran to Eli saying, "I heard you call. Here I am." Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back to bed." And so he did. That scripture ran through my mind as I listened to the request. It has happened before, I heard my name, but that time I saw the person who was calling me, I prayed for him, it was 4:30AM. I found out later that day this man had a near fatal heart attack at that exact time, I was glad I had prayed. One comment, on the Devotion, that always makes me feel complete, is, "Were you reading my mind?", "Was that for me?", "Who told you I needed that?" To know that I have heard the voice of the Lord concerning you is most wonderful. I have told you before how so many people were awakened when our family had that terrible car crash in the middle of the night, and felt to pray for us. People ask "If God is so good, why.." then give their reasons, starving children, war, lack of love, and the answer is simple. When Eve took the fruit and then shared it with Adam, they gave control, dominion, of the earth, which God had graciously given to them, to Satan, who was formerly God's worship leader! He has control of all the air above the earth and we have to ask, give God permission, to work in and for us. Jesus said: Matthew 18:18-20 "Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there." It is the power of agreement that gets things done. If all the Christians would ban together and pray for: world starvation, or peace, I mean REALLY agree, it would happen! Our problem is that eveyone has so many agendas that we can't agree, so we don't have the answers. The only thing you can do, personally, is to stay tuned in to the Spirit of God. Keep your spiritual ears open and learn the voice of the Good Shepherd: John 10:27 My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. When you feel the nudge to pray for someone, stop everything and pray, right then, it might save a life! Be blessed, pray! Contact me at harolene@att.net