The wind swirled in the brisk fall wind. The leaves danced a fluttery ballet, with an occasional attempt at the corner of a building to mimic a tornado.

I Kings 18:45 says, “And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.”

Matthew 8:26 says, “And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

John 3:8 says, “The wind blows where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell where it comes from, and whither it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

So what exactly is IN the “wind”?

1. Do sounds of voices from our ancient family members still exist, no matter how faint now?
2. Can some molecules of air that others breathed centuries ago, ingest in our lungs now?
3. Most importantly, can the prayers of our friends and loved ones still be heard?

Memories, ah; the memories.

• I remember one of my great grandmothers. Pretty obese. She died when I was 4.
• I remember the prayers of my maternal grandmother. She saw me receive Christ!
• I remember the only lie I told my super maternal grandfather. He died 3 days later.
• I remember the prayer of my pastor almost 45 years ago, leading me to Jesus!
• I remember the first person I actually led to Christ, after becoming a Christian.

Luke 5:16 says, “And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.” I wonder if those precious sounds from the Savior’s lips still swirl about the globe, ever present with all believers? The sounds waves would have diminished SO much that the Lord’s prayers would be inaudible. But only to OUR ears.

Remember when we pray NOW, that those incredibly impactful sounds once said, will be around for a long time. They may dance on the ones we pray for like a little whirlwind that moves leaves. But the Lord knows EACH prayer we utter for someone else or something on our hearts. I once learned that when we pray aloud, we don’t get as distracted as much either. So, SAY your prayers, not just think them!

“Lord, help us remember that prayer is not only a privilege, but an obligation. We have a duty to pray in the present for people in our future. We need to pray in thanks for not only answers in the past, but future answers. Who knows where our prayers will travel! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”