Praying Hands

Dedication

Preaching Magazine Illustrations

Nothing prepared Mary Lee Bright for the pain of losing a stillborn child and of nearly dying herself. When she learned she was expecting again, friends feared and were afraid. This pregnancy, too, appeared troubled. But Mary determined to carry the child to term, and she withdrew to her devotions.

“I just searched the Scriptures and prayed without ceasing,” she said. “As I did this, the strong feeling came over me that I would be all right and so would the child. It was at this time, before he was born, that I dedicated him to the Lord. And do you know, he turned out wonderfully well!” He did indeed, for that baby became a great evangelist β€” Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru).

David Jeremiah says, β€œIt must have been difficult for Hannah to give her child to the Lord before he was even born. (1 Samuel 1:11) But dedicating something to the Lord is the surest way of keeping it, and entrusting our loved ones to the Lord is the best way to stay in the winner’s circle.” (Turning Point Daily Devotional)