The Editor, Sir:
Melville Cooke's tirade against praying Christians must not go unchallenged. His column "Bawling out in vain" on Thurs-day, January 12, 2005, lacked any coherent argument or cogent analysis and seems untypical of his usual incisiveness.
His disparaging remarks on praying and the efficacy of prayer betray a knowledge of the miracle being wrought daily in the lives of people everywhere who simply put their trust in Jesus Christ, the risen one, as their saviour and lord. Every Christian can testify to miracles wrought by answered prayers. Scripture is replete with examples of praying people. Mr. Cooke, the same Jesus whom you correctly cited as defending the prostitute and chased the moneychangers out of the temple, encouraged no, commanded us to pray. Read John 16: 23-24:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
Mister Editor, there is much that the Church needs to do to bring in the day of justice for all, and I submit that the starting place is at the throne of grace.
Unfortunately, uninformed and rash comments against praying such as those espoused by your columnist do little to advance our understanding.
From the stoning of Stephen in first century Jerusalem to today's persecution of Christians in Indonesia, Pakistan, China and elsewhere in the world, the Church of Jesus Christ has survived and grown despite 2,000 years of
violence, hostility and cynicism. I have every confidence that we will survive your columnists rant. No, Mr. Melville Coke, what we need are more prayers.
I am, etc.,
WINSTON CHAMBERS
wdchambers_jm@yahoo.coma
