A PRAYER FOR WALTER On December 11th , I was returning from taking the People for CHRIST – PRAY Billboard Mission van for service. On the way back, I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things before the predicted snow and bitter cold rolled in. I parked the van a good distance out in the parking lot, away from any cars so that I could pull right out and be on my way easily. There was no car directly in front of me or to my left, but there was a car opposite me one space over. After I had parked, I got out my phone to check my messages before going into the store and I saw someone pull in front of me and immediately thought they were going to foil my escape plan. The approaching car squeezed between my front bumper and the car facing me one space over and I immediately said aloud, “what is this guy doing, there’s a whole parking lot out there.” Then I saw the driver motion for me to roll down the window. I had momentarily forgotten that I was sitting in the PRAY Billboard Mission van — a rolling replica of our PRAY Billboards, complete with the bold words “PRAY - TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE”, a Bible graphic, and a large QR code, all on the exterior. I rolled down the window and the driver said, “I saw the message on your van,” and I immediately remembered the vehicle I was driving and understood why he had gone out of his way to stop me. He said, “I saw your van and circled back so I could read the message again and wanted to tell you how important I think this message to PRAY is in the times we’re living in.” I told him that we believed this too. Then he shared something very personal. He shared, "Only a few people know this, but I've been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and I recently had a heart stent procedure." My wife and children want me to pursue treatment, but part of me just wants to let the LORD do what He will with me. Then I saw this van today and it felt like a message from GOD — that is why I asked you to roll down the window. I needed to talk to you.” I told Walter that I understood how he felt, having faced physical challenges myself. I shared with him, that this message came directly from the LORD to Lisa Young with instructions to place it on billboards and that we truly believe the HOLY SPIRIT uses this simple billboard message — “PRAY - TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE”— to speak directly into people’s lives, because time really is of the essence in the times in which we are living. I told him it was his sign to PRAY for more direction from the LORD on his future steps. I also told him that we had just placed our 154th PRAY Billboard, and that these billboards now stand across America, quietly calling hearts back to JESUS through PRAYER. It was then that he told me his name was Walter and asked for my name. After we exchanged names, I told him I would pray for him. In return, he promised to pray for our mission — especially that we would reach our goal of 250 PRAY Billboard placements by America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, that I had told him about while we were chatting. Walter said he wanted to drive around the van one last time take a photo of the QR code on the van and donate to help further the mission and as he drove away, I sat for a short while, deeply moved. On that quiet, chilly December day, just before Christmas, I remembered that this season is about celebrating how GOD entered a troubled world to offer hope, light, and redemption. I realized I had just experienced firsthand what so many of our written testimonies describe — that the PRAY Billboards people see on highways and roads across America are indeed used by the HOLY SPIRIT to gently redirect them, whatever their circumstances, back to Him through Prayer. Walter was right. Our nation — and our world — needs PRAYER now more than ever, especially during this Christmas season. Scripture tells us, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). The birth of JESUS is GOD’s answer to a world in need — a reminder that when darkness presses in, He invites us to come to Him in Prayer. In 2020, the LORD spoke to Lisa Young, telling her to place this message on billboards. Since that time Lisa has been obedient to proclaim this simple but urgent message. Every time an encounter like this happens, it is just as thrilling and humbling as the very first written testimony we ever received. Proof to us that the LORD indeed works through these billboards to reach those he cannot reach any other way. This Christmas, as we reflect on the miracle of CHRIST’s birth and the hope He brings, we would like to ask our readers to consider two things. First, please join us in praying for Walter — for wisdom, peace, and healing in his days ahead. Second, prayerfully consider a year-end donation or a monthly commitment to help us continue this mission and reach our 2026 goals. Just imagine how many lives can be touched by a PRAY Billboard on their highway or the thousands who have experienced this “message from GOD” like Walter did but didn’t take the time to write a testimony — people who, in a quiet moment on the road, are turned back to GOD, and perhaps even Salvation. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2). Even the single word — PRAY — can be that light GOD uses to draw a searching heart back to Him. We wanted to share this beautiful GOD ordained experience with our readers during the Christmas season. We hope that this straightforward yet impactful message, “PRAY - TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE,” will inspire people to turn to the LORD, and that you will help us spread this important message that America needs during these challenging times. written by Sheila Kavanaugh