Articles by Earl Ann Bumpus

I have a prayer reminder for the beginning of each school year that encourages me to P.A.S.S.—Pray Always for Students and Staff. Whenever you see a school, a bus, or even school supplies, let those become prayer prompts as a reminder to pray.

While reading my Bible this week, I camped in Psalms 61-63. With so much uncertainty around us, I could identify with David and how he was feeling when he said, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer” (Psalm 61:1).

Instead of avoiding the news, let us use new stories as prayer prompts to pray through the news.

The Lord is the source of all our hope. As we look to Him, He will give us hope. Even as we age or feel worn out, we can still have hope!

Jesus said, “Even a sparrow does not fall without God’s notice” (Matthew 10:29). As one preacher said last year, “God is a pallbearer at the funeral of every sparrow!” What a great reminder. God notices each of us when we fall and He values each of us far more than the sparrow.

Alarm clocks, including the app on our phone, always get our attention to something important. Whether it’s waking us up or getting us moving, it gets our attention for something important. It is time to set our alarms to WAKE UP and SPEAK UP about our faith!

When you were a child did you play the word association game? Someone says a word and you respond with the first thought that comes to your mind. What words prompt you to pray?

Compared to our country, National WMU is much younger…only 132 years old (WMU of Texas is 140 years old). As we reflect on WMU and how we carry out missions discipleship, we can see change. Some good, some not so good, but we can learn from it all!