When Dorothy Baker-Hines, the mayor of Macon, Mississippi received the phone call telling her that Tom Hamill was okay, she said, "Praise the Lord," and started crying. For three weeks after Hamill was kidnapped and held by Iraqi captors, prayer vigils were held for him every night down at his hometown courthouse. The mayor credits God for Hamill's safe escape and his returning home.

"…We're going to try to really get organized tomorrow, and, you know, call it the Tommy Hamill welcome home party and have the parade and try to have some good Southern food for him. And then maybe end up with a prayer vigil and just praise the Lord and just sing and just have a good time together in the Lord."

Even in an age of naturalistic science and skepticism, millions still go to their knees, ................

whether in daily faithfulness or in times of special need, and God is still hearing and answering those prayers.

Navy Lieutenant Shane Osborn was commanding the airplane that was hit by a Chinese fighter pilot three years ago over the South China Sea. As the plane went down and he and his crew were held and questioned by the Chinese for 11 days, his main prayer was for the safety of his crew. When they were released and safely returned home, Osborn was thankful. "Obviously, it solidified my beliefs (in God)," Osborn said. "That's what's going to get you here at the end of the day and that's what you need to rely on for inner strength."

This week, thousands of Koreans are trekking to Manmin Joong-Ang Church in Seoul, Korea for revival meetings, where they can hear about salvation through Jesus Christ, seek forgiveness through prayerful repentance, and find both spiritual and physical healing. Those who want prayer for healing must first go see a doctor and wear a badge certifying that they do have a medically diagnosed malady. Those who are physically healed must return to their doctor for an examination, and upon medical confirmation, the healings are recorded as miracles.

"These revival meetings are a wonderful opportunity especially for unbelievers, to listen to the Gospel message but to also experience the power of God through tangible evidences," said Johnny Kim, Director of Manmin International Missions.

The daily prayers of thousands of faithful Manmin members are seen as the backbone of the church's ministry, which reaches 2,100 sister churches, as well as untold thousands of people through webcasts that broadcast in multiple languages on the Internet. Every day, members gather at 5:00 AM to pray for each other, the nation, and the revival meetings. They also have daily prayer meetings that last three hours for 21-day cycles. And their prayers are being answered.

This Thursday marks America's National Day of Prayer, when young and old will gather to pray for local and national leaders, and to ask God's blessings and protection and help for the nation. As we gather together, may we all recognize that God does hear prayers, and He still answers them. With that encouragement, may we pray with all of our hearts – and keep praying.

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." – New Testament: James 5:16