What is a Fanner Bee?

“…There are two kinds of bees in the hive: workers and fanners. The fanner bees gather inside the hive, facing the center, and move their wings rapidly.  Like a powerful fan, this draws the stale, impure, bad air out and pulls in fresh clean air.  Without each one doing its job, the bee community could not survive. I liken the work of these fanner bees to those in the church who are called to a special ministry of prayer. These are the believers whose major work is to stay in touch with the clean, pure air of God’s Holy Spirit.  When Jesus said to pray and not lose heart, he was urging the disciples to raise prayer to a personal lifestyle.  The community of faith is strengthened as we respond to this call from God.”

Submitted by James K. Wagner (Ohio) in the October/November 1997 issue of The Upper Room Devotional Guide