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March for Jesus brings

a surprise in the fourth prayer

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher

Religion Columnist

It was a setup. Yet, no one knew anything about it.

It was the unknown factor for the March for Jesus.

Everything else had been choreographed down to the

final benediction. Except one thing. You might call it the

God part. God's always slipping in a surprise!

You see, march organizers had decided to invite

four individuals to pray over specific areas in local and

national life. The fourth prayer who was to pray for

leaders remained a mystery. This one thought that one

had contacted "him" who supposedly had accepted (it

turned out that the official we asked had to be out of town

for the weekend).

Saturday morning came. No fourth prayer. As the crowd started arriving, Steve Foster was standing

with me discussing our need for the fourth. Steve spotted

an elected official and asked me, "Isn't that Judge

Chris Edwards walking toward us?"

Indeed it was. Remember the candidate who stood on Fayetteville streets waving to us as we went to

work? Well, he was elected as superior court judge.

Judge Edwards and his daughter were simply coming to be

two of the thousands in the March for Jesus.

Steve Foster looked at me and asked, "Is

Judge Edwards the one we are supposed to ask?"

We approached him together, explained our

circumstantial needs, and he agreed to pray.

"This was a divine appointment," Steve Foster

said. I agreed. The crowd who participated in the march

rally also agreed. We never heard such power and truth

and sincerity to come from the lips of an elected

official. Now, I know why we elected Chris Edwards. I wish

we had a recording of his brief remarks and his prayer.

Four devoted men prayed on our behalf Saturday morning at the rally. All of them prompted "amens"

from the crowd: Shane Wilbanks, Willie James Christian,

Rick Snow and Chris Edwards. Nevertheless, I

sincerely believe Chris Edwards proved that God showed up.

Judge Edwards had not been invited as someone special. In fact, it did not appear he came because he

was an elected official. As crazy as it may sound, it

appeared he marched for Jesus because he is a Christian.

I usually don't mix this column with personal politics. Yet I just have to type a printed, "Glory!" for

an elected official the likes of Judge Edwards. God in all

his sovereignty showed up in his honor.

As a teen growing up in the south I remember superior court judges who were a little too cozy with

the crowd on the edge of the law. I'm thankful that I know

a superior court judge who's not ashamed to cozy up

to God's crowd.

It is tough being a Christian in a secular world.

How much tougher must it be to serve as a Christian in

an elected position. As we're thankful for Judge

Edwards and other Christians who seek and hold office,

let's remember to pray for them. It must be tough.

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