President Grover Cleveland had a secret power. It wasn't . . .
- 5-hour Energy
- Red Bull
- Monster Energy Drink
- A PX90 Workout Regiment(at 5'11" and almost 270 pounds his nickname was "Uncle Jumbo")
- One-A-Day Multivitamins
The President's "secret power" was prayer. His mom's prayers to be exact. Cleveland once wrote:
Do you know that if mother were alive, I should feel so much safer? I have always thought that her prayers had much to do with my success.[1]
We could write that off as religious superstition or take it as the words of a man who understood that momma's prayers mattered.
There is much to be said for the influence of a mom. Paul writes about the powerful impact of Timothy's mom, Eunice:
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 2 Timothy 1:5 ESV
There is also much to be said for the quiet, unassuming, and constant prayers of the people of God:
- Samuel constantly prayed for the people of God: "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way." 1 Samuel 12:23 ESV
- Nehemiah also constantly prayed for God's people: "I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants." Nehemiah 1:6 ESV
- Epaphras constantly prayed for the Colossian church: "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God." Colossians 4:12ESV
- Paul counted on Philemon's constant prayers to get him out of jail in Rome: "For I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you." Philemon 1:22 ESV
If you've ever had someone constantly praying for you, you can appreciate President Cleveland's words. I sure do! My 95-year-old mom has been praying for me all of my life.
It is a great thing to have someone praying for you, but here's my question: Will you be the person who constantly prays for someone else?
Who will you lift to the Lord today . . . and the next day . . . and the next?
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[1] Henry F. Graff. Grover Cleveland. The American President Series. Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. General Editor. New York: Time Books. Page 29.