Many of you have heard me talk about the man I refer to as “Uncle Eustace” over the years. He is actually my dad’s uncle and has been a faithful preacher of the gospel for many decades. At the time of this writing, Eustace is 95 and still happy in Jesus.

As a young preacher, God orchestrated a much-needed meeting for me in his home. I was preaching at a youth camp in Alabama when he and his precious wife stopped by for a visit. They took me and Tammy to lunch and we spent a quiet afternoon at their home in the country.

Uncle Eustace took me to a little room which I later discovered to be his prayer room. For more than an hour he talked with me about the things of the Lord and encouraged a young preacher. As I stood to leave, he asked if we could pray together. He knelt on one side of the bed and I on the other, as he asked me to open our prayer.

I was young and wanted so much to impress this seasoned preacher whom I respected. And so I launched into my prayer. It was beautiful – you should have heard it! I strung together so many wonderful religious clichés and was frankly quite satisfied with myself when I finally and proudly pronounced the “Amen.”

Then, all was quiet.

For a long time.

Finally, I opened my eyes to see if he was still there! Yes, he was there, head bowed low toward the bed and tears dripping off his cheeks. After several quiet moments, I heard him say, “Father…” Everything changed. God was there, and we were in His presence.

There was no pretense, no speech-giving in his prayer. Just simple, humble communion with the One whom he met there frequently. The longer he prayed, the more convicted I was! Here was a man who knew what it truly meant to walk and talk with God.

We said our goodbyes and left that old house, but something stayed with me. As we drove down that country road, Tammy said to me, “Did something happen to you?” Yes. Yes, it did. I wasn’t quite sure what it was, but whatever that man had, I desperately needed.

It was one of the first and most formative prayer lessons I ever received. Nearly 30 years later, it still melts my heart and stirs me to pray.

The disciples asked the Master, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). God uses many teachers, but it is Christ who truly shows us what communion with His Father looks like. I have much more to learn, but I do want to be a good student.

We are releasing four volumes of devotional studies through the Psalms. I am grateful for the overwhelming reception to Roadmap for Life, Volume 1, which examined the Genesis Psalms (Psalms 1-41). Volume 2, the Exodus Psalms, is now available, and we trust it will be an aid to your study of Psalms 42- 72.

Because of the devotional nature of these books, I am dedicating each to someone the Lord has used in my life to teach me more about private worship and personal devotion. This new volume is:

Dedicated to Eustace Riggs

A faithful minister of the Word and man of prayer.
Thank you for taking me with you to the throne of grace and showing
me the joy of time spent in the secret place with God.

It is my prayer that the Lord will use these studies to lead every reader to a deeper personal dedication to prayer and daily communion with our Redeemer.

*Learn more about these studies and order your copy HERE.

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About Scott Pauley