Being an inveterate “organizer,” he developed the habit of praying over names in alphabetical order. It might be first name or last name. And other names (children, spouse, and so on) might be added to the primary name. But if you knew your name was on this list, you knew you were being prayed over daily in the very early morning hours when Al arose—and, in the last years of his life, as he retired in the evening as well.

Knowing he had this list well-memorized, in his last days (and realizing we might lose the knowledge forever shortly) … Mom asked Dad to name the A’s … then B’s … then Dad graciously pointed and in the scarce whisper that remained of his voice, he said “notebook on my desk.” There was his list re-written almost a year earlier in now shaky handwriting … every page a treasure—especially for those whose name appeared in the book!

We couldn’t think of a more fitting legacy for Dad than to create a notebook that might help you do similarly. We didn’t include his list although one friend has adopted all the names on the “A” page (her page) in Dad’s book. What a great idea! We hope you’ll create a legacy for those you love and, ultimately, “pass on” this commitment to pray, alphabetically, to a new generation.

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

—I Thessalonians 1:11-12

Email peggy@ambaa.com for a copy of Al’s Prayer Journal.

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