Behind the Scenes at Bethlehem: A Custodian Asks God

For me, the highlight of a recent Bethlehem College & Seminary board meeting was the moment when we were about to make an important decision, and in walked one of the custodians with a piece of equipment to drop off in that room. Just before finalizing our decision, we were going to pause to pray.

That was the moment when the custodian walked in. So the chairman said, “Ed (Katterson), would you pray for us?” Ed immediately humbly bowed his head and quietly prayed Daniel 2:20-22: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him” … applying the Scripture to the decisions the board was about to make and asking God for wisdom. Ed ended his prayer and exited.

Directly following the prayer, the board decided to amend the decision that only moments earlier it had been ready to finalize. God had answered Ed’s prayer, and all the board members felt better about the decision as changed.

The ground is level at the foot of the cross. The God who shows no partiality listens to the prayers of custodians on behalf of seminary boards.