Faith & Family: Three local ministers answer, ‘Why pray?’ 

Published 10:50 am Tuesday, January 7, 2025

“The terrorist attack on New Year’s morning is a tragic reminder of the evil in this world that seeks to steal, kill and destroy. We are thankful for the men and women in uniform who protect us; please join us in praying for their safety and their ability to thwart these heinous acts of terror. We also lift up the victims of this attack and their families,” Landry said.

“In the midst of troubled times, we need to turn to God more than ever,” said the Rev. Weldon C. Bares, First United Methodist Church of Lake Charles.

Local ministers, including Bares, were asked what they thought of the call to unite in prayer, prayer in general and Bible verses that came to mind when they considered the prayer points in the call to prayer.

“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10), is the verse that came to mind for Bares.

“We do not know every detail of God’s eternal, sovereign plan,” said the Rev. Jay Lawso of  Open Door Biker Church in Sulphur. “We don’t always see the answers to prayers as we imagine them to be, but that is where faith comes in. James 5:16 says, ‘The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.’ “

“St Augustine wrote, “God wills that our desire should be exercised in prayer, that we may be able to receive what he is prepared to give,” said Fr. E. Richard of Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Sulphur. “Even when we don’t know what to pray, ‘the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercede with sighs too deep for words,’ ” (Romans 8:26)

In addition to praying for victims and families, the call to prayer suggested praying for guidance for national and state leaders to make decisions to ensure peace and security, unity and healing for the nation to stand together against evil and finding hope and solidarity through faith in God and compassion for others.

“Prayer does a world of good for us and for others in so many ways, many of which we cannot begin to understand,” Bares said. “But perhaps the most important thing is that prayer helps us to focus on God and put our trust in Him.”

Bares noted that in the Bible, Jesus said, “ask and you shall receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you.”

“I truly believe that prayer changes things,” he said. “I truly believe that prayer changes us for the better.”