Prayers for America (12/7/2017)

I was an agnostic without any redeeming virtue in me before Jesus saved me on May 20, 1985. But I had one thing going for me:

The first time I heard the term “religious nut” was in the 1950’s when my mom spit those words out of her mouth. It happened when we shopped at Meiners’ Grocery Store in Forreston, Illinois. Mom picked a few items off the shelves and carried them up to the checkout. Lillian Meiners, the cashier, attempted to talk about the Lord to Mom while totaling the purchases on the cash register. It was a one-sided conversation with Mom saying nothing.

“She’s a religious nut!” Mom proclaimed as we walked to our 1955 Pontiac, parked outside the door.

From that day forward, Lillian Meiners personified a religious nut to me. I would often see her and when I did, Mom’s words popped into my mind. Lillian never knew my true feelings about her. It was one of those inner character assassinations I never spoke aloud to anyone.

Lillian’s name was filed on a forgotten corner shelf of my mind until late 1985. It would still be there covered with layers of dust and cobwebs except for the question I asked the Lord one morning during prayer.

“Jesus, why did you save me?”

A clear voice whispered to my heart.

“Because of Lillian Meiners’ prayers for you.”

His words shocked me, but a few years later, I talked with her pastor, Rev. Orin Graff. He told me Lillian was a diligent prayer warrior for kids who attended Bible Camp.

The first saint I am going to hug upon my arrival in heaven will be Lillian Meiners. I want to thank her for faithfully praying for an agnostic who always thought she was a religious nut. We can have a good laugh about my ignorance and how Jesus set me straight. (Excerpt from my memoir, The Hunt for Larry Who, by Larry Nevenhoven, © 2014, Amazon eBook)

The news is filled with the names of men who are accused of sex scandals. Instead of throwing rocks at them, let’s pray for them. Who knows? Maybe one day, they will thank us in heaven.

My prayer today:

Lord, I ask that You send Your light and truth to each of these accused men. Let Your light and truth lead them to You. (Based on Psalm 43:3)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.