Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

The Gift of Prayer

From Pastor Patti Axel, Nativity Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, Georgia

I have been pondering for quite a while now about the gift of prayer. Prayer is a powerful tool of communication with God. In prayer we open to God the depths of our hearts and ask God to bless us or our friends, family, co-workers, enemies or anyone we lift to "God's ear." For prayer to be effective it needs to be a two-way communication - we need to listen as much as we talk. While God wants to hear from us and delights in our requests, God has a lot to say to us in return and wants us to pay attention. We need to be open to God's blessings and wisdom as we live our lives. The more we go to God in prayer, the better we are at hearing God respond and feeling God's presence in the stillness. The best way to get good at something is to start doing it. The best way to become a good prayer is to start praying. You don't need to use flowery speech or use a certain formula to "pray right."

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is

"thank you"

it will be enough!

Meister Eckhart - Domincan mystic (1260 - 1327)

I couldn't agree more and there are times when all I say is "Lord" and God takes over from there. I know that God knows what is on my heart and I need say nothing for God to hear me.

Advent is a wonderful season to practice the art of praying as it lends itself to quiet contemplation and expectant waiting - listening for God is all about expectant waiting. The trick to praying in Advent is shutting out all the garish and irritating secular "noise" and allowing the hush of God's holy presence to wash over you.

The gift of prayer is the most precious you can give to another person. The self-giving act of praying for another is a gift from your heart and one to be cherished more than any material item on earth. During this season of frantic buying and searching for the

perfect gift consider the powerful gift of prayer for that "person who has everything." You will have offered the gift of yourself and that is most to be treasured!

My gift to each of you this holy season, is the gift of my prayer for you. I have received some requests and still need more. While I can pray generically for you, I do wish to be more specific as your personal needs dictate. I do, however, know that God knows exactly what you need and will fill in the blanks in my prayers.

Shalom!

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First Five Freedoms is proud to join Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law, The Temple, and All Saints Episcopal Church for "Faith, Law, & Democracy: A Community Conversation on the Public Good and the Rule of Law" on Tuesday June 2. We hope you will consider joining us for this important discussion. Americans across the political spectrum are grappling with a shared unease: the feeling that something foundational is slipping. Trust in institutions is eroding. The norms that once governed public life are contested. And the concept of the public good — the idea that we share a common stake in fair, just, and accountable governance — is increasingly hard to find in our public discourse. This program brings together faith leaders, legal experts, and engaged community members for an evening of honest conversation about what is at stake. Hosted at All Saints Episcopal Church and co-presented by The Temple, Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law (GLRL), and First Five Freedoms, the event weaves together spiritual reflection, legal analysis, and civic dialogue to address one central question: What does it mean to protect the rule of law — and why does it matter for all of us, right now? The evening will include reflection, analysis, and discussion designed to:

Connect faith, law, and civic responsibility in an accessible, nonpartisan framework
Examine current challenges to the rule of law and their implications for democracy
Create space for authentic dialogue across perspectives and institutions
Foster relationships and identify opportunities for collective action

Faith, Law & Democracy, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., All Saints Episcopal Church, 634 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta 30308. Featured speakers include: Rev. Natosha Reid Rice, Minister for Public Life, All Saints’ Episcopal Church; Rabbi Lydia Medwin, Associate Rabbi, The Temple; Jill Steinberg, former U.S. Attorney for Georgia’s Southern District; Al Pearson, former University of Georgia Law professor; Richard Griffiths, retired journalist, and president emeritus of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation. Registration for this event is free. Complimentary parking, food, and refreshments. REGISTER HERE