one to one A "Taylor-made" Prayer Partner     One to One is a regular feature of ONE Magazine. Written by Keith Burden, executive secretary of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, the column explores life, ministry...and grandkids!

When I walk into my office on Monday morning, the voice mail light on my telephone is usually illuminated. Messages range from sales calls to pleas for assistance. All too often, the message is negative. Someone is upset about something and calls to complain. Folks with problems want me to fix them. But I no longer dread listening to my voice mail on Monday because I know at least one message will be positive and encouraging.

Not long after I became executive secretary, I was enjoying a meal with a friend from a former pastorate. In the course of our conversation, he asked what he could do to help me. After a moment for reflection I said, “You can pray for me.” Since then he has been a faithful prayer partner.

He faithfully calls and leaves a message on my office telephone each Sunday evening. He reminds me that he is praying for me, my staff, and the ministry of the executive office. He intercedes for my safety and physical and spiritual protection as I travel and represent Free Will Baptists. He asks God to give me wisdom and direction as I lead. He prays for my family.

Those phone calls and this prayer partner relationship has sustained me through some challenging times over the past eight years. Knowing I had a friend (and a lot of others folks) praying on my behalf gives me the courage to face difficult situations and make some of the toughest decisions in my life.

A few years ago, I had the privilege of hearing a renowned preacher speak at a ministers’ retreat. During a question and answer session someone asked, “What role does prayer play in being an effective communicator of God’s Word?” After a long pause, he said, “I’m not sure I know the answer to that question. I’m not sure I fully understand prayer. I know the Bible instructs us to pray. I know prayer is vital to the success of any spiritual endeavor. But I don’t know that I can say that I really understand how it works.”

That has been my experience. While I cannot explain how prayer works, I know it does work. A couple of things make my friend’s prayer particularly meaningful to me. His prayers are specific. He doesn’t dispense a lot of empty rhetoric or trite platitudes. He gets right to the point and tells me what he’s praying for. He prays faithfully. Week after week, month after month, year after year—I know I can count on his prayer.

Although time and distance separates me from my friend, we remain close through prayer. Thank you, Phil Taylor! Thank you for being a “Taylor-made” prayer partner!