The newest member of the Fountain Hills Christian Ministerial Association related a personal story about his belief in prayer at the eighth community National Day of Prayer service.

Pastor Jeff Teeples of Shepherd of the Hills Church delivered the keynote address at the May 2 service at the amphitheater in Fountain Park.

“I have a healthy grandson because of the power of prayer,” said Teeples.

He explained that two years ago his son and daughter-in-law were told that they probably could not have children.

The news was devastating for the couple aged 26 and 24 years old.

“We began to pray for them. It ended up they got pregnant,” recalled Teeples.

A few months into the pregnancy, growth of the child in the womb was not normal.

“We put it out to our congregation to pray,” said Teeples.

A grandson weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces was born April 11.

“We attribute it to God’s power of prayer.”

The theme of the service was “Love One Another,” taken from the Biblical passage John 13:34, “Love one another. Just as I have loved you.”

“I know prayer works in my life and the lives of all of you. That’s why you’re here tonight, because you believe in prayer,” said Teeples. “No one is here by accident. Everyone here tonight is here because God wants you here…each person found his way tonight for a reason.”

The audience broke out into prayer circles focusing on seven topics led by a minister: Church, John Nichols; government, Bobby Brewer; military, Tony Pierce; media, Todd Forrest; family, Clayton Wilfer; business, Rod Warrenbourg, and education, Bill Good.

Love might be the most used word in the Bible, said Teeples.

“The night before he was crucified, Jesus told his disciples to ‘love one another as I have loved you.’

“We can love another person by praying for them, because prayer leads us to love.”

Instead of worrying, Teeples encouraged his listeners to turn to prayer.

“Instead of fear, turn to prayer,” he added.

Councilman Dennis Brown read a town proclamation designating May 2 as Fountain Hills Day of Prayer. In 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed into a law the National Day of Prayer after Congress approved a joint resolution.