"Let me introduce you to an answer to prayer." This is how Bob Christian introduced me to his friend, Rick Ware. It got my attention. Bob gave his friend a big hug and exclaimed, "I prayed for this man for twenty-five years!" He went on to explain that he kept a prayer list which included the name of his friend. "Then about five years ago," he said, "in the month of September, he called up and told me that he was going to be baptized and wanted me there. He's an answer to prayer!"

Brother Christian recently passed on to be with the Lord, but during his time on earth he was a dedicated Christian and soul winner. He was always friendly and good natured. As a long-time business man in Sturgis, KY, he knew many people and made friends easily. When it came to religion he was never shy nor hesitant to talk with others. Everybody who knew him knew what he believed and stood for and most of them respected him for it. He was never pushy or obnoxious. He probably never heard the term, "friendship evangelism", but that is what he practiced.

Bob believed in prayer. He believed that evangelism should not only include proper teaching and the right kind of example but prayer - a lot of it. He said that "prayer is the most powerful thing on earth." And he went on to say that he had always tried to be "bendable and moldable" and willing to accept whatever answer God gave. He was specific in his prayers, calling people by name. He opened his Bible and showed me his prayer list. It must have contained a hundred names. It included the names of the sick and suffering as well as those who were lost. Some were highlighted. These were the ones that he had been successful with. Some were marked through. They were the ones who had died. The list showed wear and tear. It had been worked and reworked. Bro. Ware said that Bro. Christian had shown him the piece of paper that had his name on it and it was well worn.

Rick's conversion resulted in a dramatic change in his life. It also started a chain reaction. His wife was restored. A sister and a grandmother were baptized. He then turned his attention to his father who had lived a very sinful life and who was now dying of cancer. He said to him, "I am going to heaven, and I want to meet you there." He tried hard to convince him, and it paid off. On the first day of the following January he was baptized into Christ. As he came up out of the water, with water running down his face, the old man blinked his eyes, looked up to heaven, and said, "Thank God!"

Yes, I met a living and breathing, flesh and blood, answer to prayer!