For many years my husband and I were privileged to attend our annual church convention. The North American Christian Convention is held every year in a different major city and is attended by thousands of people, mostly families.

I remember one convention held eight years ago. Instead of meeting in a convention center, we met in the Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky. The church, the largest in our brotherhood, can accommodate 14,000 people for worship services. Their choir contains 240 voices and is accompanied by a full orchestra.

During the day, attendees choose different workshops of their choice, each one relating to church work and ministry. Then, in the evening everyone convenes in the main auditorium for music, praise, prayers and inspirational preaching.

The first day of the convention I chose a workshop on prayer. And get this. The Southeast church wanted every name that appeared in the Louisville phone book to be prayed for daily during the three day convention (an immense task). They literally cut up the phonebook and distributed 50 names to each attendee of the workshop. We were to pray for the spiritual state of these people each day.

The prayer workshop leader stressed the importance of keeping a prayer journal. I've done this for many years. When I run out of writing space every year or so I make out a new list. But I always keep my old list. I was surprised once when I reviewed my prayer list from years back. I had prayed for four years to God for a request. He never answered it. Looking a back, I was so thankful He didn't . . .God knows best. I always date my petitions when they are answered and add a "PTL!"

I'll never forget leaving my prayer list on a Denver hotel room night stand years ago. When I got home I had the difficult task of re-creating my list from memory. I could just picture a hotel maid looking at it and thinking, "what in the world is this?" and then, pitching it in a waste basket.

The workshop leader, Dean Trune, said he had kept a prayer journal for 11 ½ years, except for seven missed days. He too, dated and noted God's answers to his prayer requests.

One day a skeptic challenged him, doubting that God answered prayers. Dean said, "Tell you what. You pick a date and year and I'll share God's answers." Over and over he was able to prove God's faithfulness. He then added, "I'm just so thankful that the doubter didn't choose one of the seven days I had missed." PTL!

Address questions and comments to connie Snyder, c/o The Times, 601 W. 45th, Munster, IN 46321. Reach her via e-mail at JSnyder377@aol.com. Opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.