Pastor Taylor is a native of Pine Bluff and a graduate of Pine Bluff High School. He attended Ouachita Baptist University and received his B.A. in 1967. He did graduate Work at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, California. He received his Master of Divinity degree from there in 1970 and the Doctor of Ministry degree in 1980. While attending Seminary, Pastor Taylor served as a Student Chaplain at San Quentin State Prison for two years. He has served as Pastor in Arkansas, Chicago and the San Francisco Bay area. Pastor Taylor and his wife JoAnne have two grown children and twelve grandchildren.
We have all heard of the sinking of the Titanic. But recently I came across a story that challenged my prayer life. This was the story: One Sunday night in April, 1912, an American woman was in bed, weary, yet she could not sleep because of a burden that frightened her. She felt led to pray…and with an increased interest begin to pray for her husband who was homeward bound across the Atlantic on a new ship, the Titanic. Hour after hour she was encouraged to pray. At about 5 a.m. she sensed a great peace and immediately fell asleep. Meanwhile, her husband, Colonel Gracie was among those doomed hundreds who were aboard the Titanic. He was busy helping the women and children get into lifeboats. He had already given up being saved. But he wanted desperately to get a final message to his wife. As the ship slipped under the water, he cried out from his heart, “Good bye my darling.” He was sucked under the water by the passing of the ship. But suddenly, he found himself on the surface…very near an overturned lifeboat. Along with several others in the water they turned the boat over and climbed aboard. They were soon picked up. Looking at a clock he noticed that it was a little after 5 a.m.
Often, in the midst of life, which we can’t explain…which seems to make no sense…and causes weakness and confusion…we don’t even know how to pray. We don’t know in which direction to turn. But the Spirit of God, the living presence of God Himself in us…Prays in a language that no human speech can ever utter. He groans with us. He aligns us with the Father to remind us that He is there…and He is aware of all that is going on around us.
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)
Often, in the midst of life, which we can’t explain…which seems to make no sense…and causes weakness and confusion…we don’t even know how to pray. We don’t know in which direction to turn. But the Spirit of God, the living presence of God Himself in us…Prays in a language that no human speech can ever utter. He groans with us. He aligns us with the Father to remind us that He is there…and He is aware of all that is going on around us.
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)