It was Emily Dickinson who spoke so eloquently when she said,

“If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life from aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his voice again,

I shall not live in vain.”

I have had the privilege of publishing the gospel message of Jesus Christ since 1968 … starting in an extremely small way. I never cease to be amazed at what God will do with a life that is committed to serving him. And my prayer today is that God will use me to achieve more in the next decade of my life than I have in the past four-plus decades.

I hope that you, too, will pray a similar prayer so that when you and I meet God face to face we will both hear his welcome words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.

“Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please use me to achieve more in the next decade of my life (should you grant me this time) than I have in all of my past years. And please help me to so live that my life will not be lived in vain. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NIV).