A Jew Prays

Arthur F. Burns, the former chairman of the United States Federal Reserve System was a pretty serious fellow. Medium in height, distinguished, with wavy silver hair and his trademark pipe, he was the economic counselor to several presidents from Eisenhower to Ronald Reagan. When he spoke, his opinion carried weight and Washington listened.

Arthur Burns was also a Jew. So, when he began attending an informal White House group for prayer and fellowship in the 1970s, he was accorded special respect. Still, no one in the group knew how to involve him in the group. Week after week, when different people took turns to end the meeting in prayer, Burns was passed by... out of a mixture of respect and reticence.

One week, when the group was led by a newcomer who did not understand Burns' unusual situation, the newcomer turned to Arthur as the meeting ended and asked him to close the time in prayer. Some of the old-timers glanced at each other in surprise and wondered what would happen. Without missing a beat, Burns reached out, held hands with the others in the circle, and
prayed: "Lord, I pray that you would bring Jews to know Jesus Christ. I pray that you would bring Muslims to know Jesus Christ. Finally, Lord, I pray that you would bring Christians to know Jesus Christ. Amen."

A novel idea at the beginning of the biggest commercial/shopping season of the year... that we Christians would really know Jesus and follow Him in the way.