Dr. Naam Shares the Importance of Prayer at NDOP Breakfast

(SOME OF THOSE MORE THAN 260 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE FOR THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER OBSERVANCE IN EFFINGHAM)

Dr. Nash Naam is a believer in prayer.

During a speech at the Effingham National Day of Prayer observance Wednesday morning, Dr. Naam shared stories from his youth in Egypt of what he saw accomplished through faithful, fervent prayer.

(DR. NASH NAAM)

His chief subject was a woman who prayed constantly. She had a son who was lost to drugs and drinking. The son developed tuberculosis and was about to undergo surgery when his mother told the doctor to wait because her son had been healed. The doctor was naturally skeptical, but finally checked the son's lungs and found they sounded clear. An X-ray confirmed the son was completely healthy. The same doctor had checked the son's lungs for days before and they were terribly congested. Then, things changed.

Dr. Naam shared the woman had been faithful and fervent in her prayers. He said the woman even argued and complained to God; in other words, was honest in her prayers. And God honored her prayers with the healing. The son went on to become a minister who saw thousands of people converted to Christianity.

Dr. Naam also discussed the situation of Christians in his native land; how they are treated as second-class citizens. Elsewhere in the Middle East, things are even worse. He noted the recent execution of some two dozen Christians by ISIS and how they were in an attitude of prayer as they went to their deaths. That story and reports of even children being sold into slavery were sobering, but Dr. Naam contrasted that with the fact that there have been no retaliations against Moslems or their mosques.

In a compelling remark, Dr. Naam noted that in Egypt and elsewhere in the Middle East, speaking of Christians, "as the persecution increases, their faith grows".

The audience of more than 200 people at the Keller Convention Center also heard from Tod Lancaster, who sang with Matt Cekander, but also shared his almost lifelong battle with hepatitis. 

(TOD LANCASTER)

At one point in 2007, Lancaster shared that he and wife Marge were discussing his obituary and putting his house in order when a long-awaited phone call came that a donor liver was available. Then, that liver didn't work out. Finally, they were on their way to the Metro East for yet another appointment when a call came that there was a liver available in Madison, Wisconsin and could they come there? Of course, they could and they did. 

The transplant was successful and even though there've been other battles, including two bouts with cancer, Lancaster is going strong. One of the best blessings has been a returned ability to sing, which made his participation in the worship Wednesday so special.

A group of Christian businesspeople underwrote the cost of the prayer breakfast for the third consecutive year. A free-will offering was received that will benefit the Family Life Center. Tom Henderson welcomed those gathered and Rick Siemer shared the closing prayer that is the declaration for the National Day of Prayer this year, "Wake Up, America". The prayer included an apology to God that He seems to be marginalized in American society these days, as well as thanks for His continual blessings.