{"id":4460,"date":"2010-12-27T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2010-12-27T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.christianethicstoday.com\/wp\/?p=4460"},"modified":"2022-02-12T14:16:18","modified_gmt":"2022-02-12T21:16:18","slug":"a-grease-rack-prayer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christianethicstoday.com\/wp\/a-grease-rack-prayer\/","title":{"rendered":"A Grease Rack Prayer"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Grease Rack Prayer
\nBy Hal Haralson<\/p>\n

I pulled into the Texaco station on Fredericksburg road at Wonderland Shopping Center in San Antonio.<\/p>\n

I was in a hurry.<\/p>\n

My father had called from Abilene to tell me he had a listing on a 7,000 acre farm in the valley. He wanted me to help him find a buyer.<\/p>\n

Since I was selling farms and ranches for the Guy Chipman Company (a San Antonio real estate firm), this was exciting.<\/p>\n

This sale would involve millions of dollars and I`d get a share of it.<\/p>\n

As I filled my car with gas, the owner came out to talk.<\/p>\n

I had traded at Hal Taylor`s Texaco for some time and knew Hal well. He was a burly ex-marine, with tatoos of hula girls on his arms.<\/p>\n

His language was sprinkled with profanity. He was comfortable around me even though I had approached him several times about his relationship to God.<\/p>\n

"Never had time for that God stuff. My wife and kids go, but it`s not for me."<\/p>\n

I had invited him to go with us to Trinity Baptist church and hear Buckner Fanning, also, an ex-marine. Hal was impressed with the idea of an ex-marine preacher, but always put me off.<\/p>\n

"Where you headed? You seem to be in a hurry."<\/p>\n

I told Hal about the farm near Harlingen.<\/p>\n

"That sounds great. I hope it works out for you. Could I talk to you for a minute?"<\/p>\n

I started to say I`ll get with you when I return from the valley, but something about the tone of his voice made me feel I should listen.<\/p>\n

We went over to the grease rack. Hal seemed to want privacy.<\/p>\n

Hal blurted out, "You know what you told me the other day, about God loving me and wanting me to be his child?"<\/p>\n

"I don`t understand how God could love me with my drinking, bad language, and besides, I never go to church."<\/p>\n

"Hal, this acceptance of God`s love doesn`t depend on what kind of man you are. It depends on your willingness to invite Jesus Christ to come into your life and give your life to him."<\/p>\n

"You see, Jesus Christ died to pay for your sins. You have to believe that and trust yourself to him."<\/p>\n

"Okay," Hal replied, "I`ve been thinking about this a lot the last few days. How do I do it?"<\/p>\n

"All right, Hal, you pray after me."<\/p>\n

"Dear God, I know I`m a sinner. I believe Christ died for my sins. I believe you love me. I know I can`t change my life -I tried that. Please come into my life, forgive my sin, and accept me as one of your children."<\/p>\n

There were tears in Hal Taylor`s eyes when I looked up. big ex-marine, in a very uncharacteristic move, gave me a bear hug and thanked me.<\/p>\n

We bowed again and thanked God for Hal Taylor`s new life.<\/p>\n

"Gotta go, Hal. I`ll talk with you when I get back. I want to introduce you to Buckner. You ex-marines will like each other.<\/p>\n

Things moved quickly in the Valley (Harlingen). My father and I operated out of our motel room and were talking millions of dollars and showing the ranch to prospective buyers.<\/p>\n

A phone call from Judy brought all this to a screeching halt.<\/p>\n

There was a robbery at Hal Taylor`s station. He was shot in the head and was in a coma. He was not expected to live.<\/p>\n

I returned to Austin in three days and went to the hospital where I met Hal`s wife. I told her about the prayer at the grease rack.<\/p>\n

"Could you come to my home and tell Hal`s mother and father and our children about the grease rack prayer?"<\/p>\n

"Of course," I replied and a time was set.<\/p>\n

Hal`s father was an elderly man, a cab driver from Kerrville. When I recounted my conversation with Hal, he stated, "That`s the answer to 40 years of prayer."<\/p>\n

Hal never came out of the coma. The family asked me to assist Buckner Fanning with the funeral and I told this story. Then, and now, Hal Taylor in life and in death shares his faith in God.<\/p>\n

I`m thankful I wasn`t in too big a hurry to listen to Hal by the grease rack.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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