August 10: Preachers from different places here in the region gathered together to attend a bible lecture at Metro Tuguegarao where brethren Craig Meyer (from Dickinson, Texas, USA), Ernie Collado (Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur), Robinson Pulveras (Dubeng, Pamplona, Cagayan), and Willie “Otey” Pastor (Santo Domingo, Cabarroguis, Quirino) are to preach about “The Importance of Prayer”. Before our four fellow preachers present the lessons they prepared for the said lecture, brother Rody Gumpad shared to us some of the important information that he gathered from the “6th National Convention of Solemnizing Officers”. Brother Craig Meyer shared with us a very encouraging lesson entitled “The Importance of Prayer in the Lives of the Prophets”, he made us observe and understand the lives of Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Jonah, Micah, and Habakkuk. We understood that the prophets showed us how we should pray to God; that our prayers should contain 1) Praise for Almighty God, 2) Reverence and deepest respect for God, 3) Gratitude and Thanksgiving, 4) Supplication (acknowledging our helplessness without God’s help). Also the prophets are showing us why we should pray, that we must realize our complete dependence upon God for us to be able to succeed and overcome every trial and obstacle we face. Brother Ernie Collado also shared a very nice lesson about “The Importance of Prayer in the Life of Jesus”, in this lesson we understood that Jesus gave us a perfect example of walking with God that we are to become a man of prayer if we are to walk with God. Also Jesus is trying to show us that our prayers serve as our communication with God, just as He communicated with His Father in heaven. Brother Robinson Pulveras also shared a nice lesson about “The Importance of Prayer in the Lives of the Apostles”, we understood that the apostles continued steadfastly in prayer with one accord, that they used prayer for their encouragement, to edify one another, and to draw them more nearer to God. Brother Willie “Otey” Pastor also gave a much needed lesson regarding “The Importance of Prayer in the Lives of Preachers Today”; he explained that there are answered prayers (prayers of the righteous) as well as unanswered prayers (prayers of the wicked and disobedient). All in all we are very thankful to God and to all the speakers who shared us very important information that will help us much in our lives as Christians. God did not only smile at us this day for our study of His words but also He smiled at the three (3) precious souls who confessed Christ and were baptized into Christ.
