---
title: "Encouraging Word: Jimmie Hale Mission"
date: 2017-05-25
author: "Laurie Stroud"
featured_image: "https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/unnamed-9.jpg"
categories:
  - name: "Encouragement"
    url: "/category/news/spiritual/encouragement.md"
  - name: "Spiritual"
    url: "/category/news/spiritual.md"
---

# Encouraging Word: Jimmie Hale Mission

**Encouraging Word**

![](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Screen-Shot-2017-05-25-at-1.02.11-PM.png)Prayer Is…

The month of May marked a local and national emphasis on prayer. One week I attended five different prayer gatherings. It prompted me to focus on prayer.

What is prayer?

**Prayer is conversation,** talking with God. Remember the church song that said, “just a little talk with Jesus makes it right?”

**Prayer is communication,** where the emphasis is on dialogue, a two-way conversation of both speaking and listening.

**Prayer is communion**. Communion is defined as being together; in agreement; to have unity. Prayer is contact with God, being aware of His presence and maintaining proper focus.

**Prayer is privilege.** We have access to God’s presence. He gives us a private audience.

**Prayer is personal.** God knows us completely. We have an intimate relationship with Him.

**Prayer is powerful.** It gets God’s attention and plugs us into His resources.

**Prayer needs to be a priority.** It should be our first response not a last resort. Prayer should be at the top or our list.

**Prayer is profitable.** The Bible says the fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man/woman accomplishes much. It changes things.

**Prayer changes things.** It is like breathing; it is a necessity for our spiritual lives. I Thessalonians 5:17 says, “pray continually.”

I encourage you to make prayer an important part of your life. Experience God’s presence and peace.

*![](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Screen-Shot-2016-09-26-at-10.43.12-PM-e1479950824182.png)*

*-Tony Cooper*

*Celebrating 26 Years of Service as Exec. Director, Jimmie Hale Mission*

[*www.jimmiehalemission.com*](http://www.jimmiehalemission.com)