Jackson advocate., 1963-01-12
National Prayer Week
BY EDGAR T. STEWART


uary 9Th TO January 18th, 1868.
National Prayer Week each year is the week
following and including the first Sunday.
No special place or time is necessary and no
money needed
The reason is because the country is in crisis,
the world at a cross roads and Christianity is be-
hind schedule. After nearly two thousand years
since Christ we find that the most of the world is
non Christian The worlds population is increas-
ing faster than Christianity and in our own country
crime is said to be increasing faster than the pop
ulation.
This movement was started in 1854 because this
writer then school teacher, had been guest speak
er for History Week, Health Week, Business Week,
etc. I wondered if were not leaving out the
main week. week for prayer.
In 1854 made the first attempt by article
in "The Pittsburg Courier" asked readers to write
me what they thought about prayer week. A num-
ber of them did. Only one thought it would do no
good
put it in several newspapers and wrote sew
eral leaders of different denominations and asked
them to implement it. All Of the religious leaders
thought the idea good but suggested some one else
to implement it. | felt that layman should not
lead it. I am glad that the leaders refused because
it should have been natural for them to make it de-
ominatiOnal.
have pushed the idea each year since 1854.
One night I became deathly i'll. prayed and
prayed with no result. Then thought suppose there
is nothing up there My mind went back to my read
ing of the Bible. had read all of the New Testa-
ment several books of the old, part of the Jewish
Talmnde and part of the Mohamedan Koran.
said there is God. | prayed some more still not
result then said in my prayer, can't stand this
haven't the patience etc, of Job. Still no result.
I then got ready to go and as my last PRAYER L
said Glory Love, Reverence and Unlimited Power
to thee forever. The sickness went up off me Just
like curtain in rising in theater and something
like radio in my brain said "Who are you to
say YOU haven't the patience etc of job have just
shown that you have. | had never read the book
of Job | only knew that he had great patience.
then read it.
Job was a wealthy and powerful man. was
neither wealthy nor powerful, but had college
and law degree, certificate in economics and one
in article writing I owned home car and small
bank account. | had job CSchoo teacher) ana
fairly good health.
I didn't tell anyone of my experience for some
time I feared they would think was either lying,
crazy OF had dream.
continued the Prayer Week crusade each year.
I was doing OK Job had three disasters. He lost
his family his wealth and his health. He was cov-
cred with sores I soon had three IN 1858. lost
leg (diabetes) In 1860 lost the other. Second, /
MANNED to become lawyer and JOURNALIST. mat
was now out. Third I had so many temptations
| felt like an island surrounded by sin:
Job kept the faith. So did |. 1t then dawned up
on me that God wanted me to sponsor Prayer week
That is what I am now doing. You may ask why
me Mavbe it is because God knew that | would
make it non-Denominational No racial and no-prof-
it making. y,
Job got another family, regained his wealth
and lived long time.
7 know not what the future holds for me, but
find happiness in doing something for God and
my fellow man.
rarsons each wear for seven years and you carry
on for the rest of your life.
Prav for the things you see need prayer.