11. The Godward Life of Prayer

Chapter 11 in Hear Me Now is on the mark of dying and documents the little deaths Pastor Jerry died as he became more and more like Christ. This sermon brings Jerry’s dependence on Christ through prayer into clear focus. Jerry has been retired for six years after thirty-five years as the Grace senior pastor. Interim Pastor Mike Matheson reads the scripture and then humorously and fondly introduces Jerry as the “guest” speaker. As it turned out, this was the last sermon Pastor Jerry preached at Grace. Not surprisingly, it was on how we “move on” in the changes of life through prayer. Jerry’s prayer life had been continuing to deepen and became his greatest joy during big health changes, difficulties, and losses. These changes for Pastor Jerry started just months after this sermon and lasted through the last two years of his life.