Just a few moments ago I met a young lady named Ashley. I don’t know Ashley and had no idea that today our paths would cross. I met Ashley as she was being strapped to a board by paramedics. Her car had flipped over in the intersection. She was conscious and I asked if I could pray for her. She said yes. I concluded my prayer and the paramedics placed her in the ambulance. That was the last time I saw her. I gave my card to her friends and asked them to keep me updated on her condition.

This past week I have been reminded over and over again just how brief our life is on this planet. Last week my Uncle Dallas passed away from cancer, my Aunt Agnes died at the age of 93, and today is the anniversary of my father-in-law passing away from a sudden heart attack. What I am thankful for is that all 3 followed Jesus. Right now my Uncle Dallas is cancer free, Aunt Agnes is running the streets of gold, and George is making them both listen to a Merle Haggard song on his guitar. That’s the hope of this Christmas season. That’s the whole reason we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. He was born to die so that we might live.

Today I was reading 1 Samuel 30 and was challenged to go after those who have been taken captive by the enemy. The scripture says that David prayed and sought the Lord on what to do. On Dec. 12th we are launching the 12 Days of Christmas Prayer leading up to our Connection Christmas service on Fri. Dec. 24th. I want to ask you to join me and devote 12 minutes a day, for 12 days, to praying for those you know who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. What greater gift could you receive this year than knowing a family member or friend came to Christ because of your prayers.

We all have family and friends that are far from God. Maybe you’ve given up on them. I want to encourage you to begin praying for them again. I mean really praying. Don’t let up until they bend a knee to Jesus. Nothing we do on this planet is more critical than reaching people who don’t have a relationship with Jesus. Eternity is on the line every single day for someone.