I Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

II Corinthians 12:7-9 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:  for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

September 15th, 2017 is National POW/MIA Recognition Day.  It is a time for all Americans to remember the sacrifices of those who were Prisoners of War and those who are Missing in Action.

A notable POW was Brigadier General James Robinson “Robbie” Risner.  Risner was an Air Force fighter pilot, an ace, and an American hero.  He spent more than seven years in POW camps in North Vietnam after being shot down on September 16th, 1965.  He spent more than three years of those in solitary confinement.  Risner experienced extra harsh treatment as the prison’s Senior Ranking Officer, returning home with honor in 1973.  When asked how he survived his tortuous treatment, Risner said the following:

“To make it, I prayed by the hour.  It was automatic, almost subconscious.  I did not ask God to take me out of it.  I prayed he would give me strength to endure it.  When it would get so bad that I did not think I could stand it, I would ask God to ease it and somehow I would make it.  He kept me.”

As the Senior Ranking Officer, he issued the following guidance:

“I’m in charge, and here’s what I want you to do.  Be a good American.  Live by the Code of Conduct.  Resist up to the point of permanent physical or mental damage and then no more.  Give as little as possible and the bounce back to resist again.  Pray every day.  Go home proud.”

Risner went home proud!  He also offers us all important spiritual truths.

No matter what we are facing, we are to pray by the hour; pray every day.  It should be automatic, almost subconscious.  Whatever you are going through, ask God to give you strength to endure it and to ease it.  His strength is made perfect in weakness.

AMERICAN CHRISTIAN, PLEASE PRAY BY THE HOUR!  He will keep you!