I know -- I've told some before, so what's to stop me?

But I don't want you to confuse me with some preachers who are always hearing "voices" -- and in this instance I heard a voice -- or I thought I did.

Nothing long -- winded or grandly eloquent, mind you -- just a "still, small voice" that broke into my life and changed me forever.

Since I've come this far -- I may as well tell you all of it.

I don't remember what I prayed. I just remember that I had been feeling down and discouraged for several days. And the prayer didn't help.

It didn't seem to go anywhere.

You know what I mean? I think we've all experienced this.

I remember thinking sadly, "Nobody heard me" -- and that's when I heard the voice.

And yes, I may have dozed off. I may have dreamed it.

But I don't think so.

I would swear -- if preachers were allowed to -- that the moment I said, "Nobody heard me," a voice clearly replied with the words -- "I heard you."

And it scared me a little.

And it kept me awake for a long time thinking about it -- and enjoying the mystery of it.

I prayed -- and God replied!

And that reply has stuck with me. Those three little words, spoken so clearly from some-where that night, changed forever my understanding of prayer. Since then I always enter prayer knowing that God is present and listening.

The assurance remains.

God hears me -- God hears you.

Everything Jesus taught us about prayer comes with that promise -- which means you don't have to take the word of a preacher who hears a voice in the night.

Just listen to the Lord.

"Knock," he said, "and the door will open."

Our prayers are always heard.

If you believe this truth -- and take it with you into the new year -- you will discover blessings you never knew life could offer.

And if you are not in church, this is a wonderful time to change that. Let the flrst Sunday of 1999 mark a new beginning in your life.

Be in worship somewhere this Sunday.

And one more thing-from the two pastors in this ministry:

Max Brennan -- pastor of St. Matthew, assisting at Eastern Hills --

Nancy Allen -- pastor of Eastern Hills, assisting at St. Matthew --

Happy New Year!