I am really enjoying our ecumenical Bible study "Draw the Circle:  The 40 Day Prayer Challenge" by Mark Batterson.

An opening paragraph "Find Out about Prayer" says, "In 1953, a Princeton doctoral student asked Albert Einstein a question, 'What original dissertation research is left?' I'm intrigued and inspired by Einstein's answer: 'Find out about prayer.'"

I am sure Einstein's math and science mind had a hard time with the concept of prayer.

I also have to admit that I could be a more faithful and consistent pray-er. But this study is helping to open my eyes and heart.

What is the significance of '40 days'? I don't know but there are a lot of 40s in the Bible: 'raining 40 days and nights with the story of Noah; Jesus spending 40 days in the desert after His baptism by John; 40 years of the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness before making their way back home'.

Yesterday's study talked about two types of requests to God:  ASAP - as soon as possible- and ALAT - as long as it takes.

One of  the questions was, "Did you have a parent or grandparent who prayed for you?" I don't know if I did or not but I know my mom's mom, Grandma Merwin, was a prayer. She had 15 children and 39 of us grandchildren. 

And the ALAT prayers don't have to be for children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren we currently have. They can be 'future' relatives we haven't even met yet!

Father God in Heaven, 
we ask You to take care of us today,
and tomorrow and into generations yet to come!
Bless our children,
our grandchildren,
great-grandchildren,
and those well into the future.
We want all of them to come to You
and enjoy You and for You to take them into Your loving arms and guide all of us
into Your eternal home in heaven.
In Jesus' Name Who Made All of This Possible,
Amen.

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