Written by: Gawie de Lange
Article source: JOY! Magazine

A very close friend of mine and his wife recently endured a traumatic ordeal. Their energetic 13-year-old son, Lian, was jumping on his trampoline (as he often did). Out of the corner of his eye, my friend noticed his son walking towards the house before suddenly collapsing. Hurrying to his side, he realised Lian was having a seizure. His face was blue and eyes wide open, unsure of what was happening! My friend’s heart sank deep into his stomach. This was a sight no parent ever wants to witness. Helpless, he did the only thing he knew and cried out to our Maker, the true Healer. His wife ran out of her office upon hearing the desperate pleas to God from her anguished husband.

Rushing to the hospital
They rushed to the emergency centre at the hospital and Lian underwent an MRI. During this time, many intercessors were praying for complete healing and the comfort of the worried parents. After a few hours and subsequent tests, the physician reported that there was nothing significantly wrong with him. No brain damage was detected, and there were no signs of any issues. Praise God!

Luck? Or God?
Now, in this situation, one might consider it “luck” that nothing went wrong, or you could see the hand of the Father at work. The Bible teaches us that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. It also assures us that God hears our prayers.

Altered outcomes
When Christians call out to their Healer, He listens to their cries and answers them. It’s essential to mention that Lian is an extraordinary child of God who stands unwaveringly by the truth of the Word. He is wholly devoted to God and has received many prophecies about his life. The enemy strongly opposes and hates this and will use all his limited power to harm and destroy this life. However, when the righteous pray together, it changes the course of “what could have been”. The physician’s report could have easily been different, almost a death sentence, but the prayers of many believers altered that outcome.

Our foundation
For Christians, prayer should be a rock-solid foundation. It gives us strength, helps us find our way, and gives us comfort when we need it. It’s not just something we do out of habit; it’s a deep connection that brings together our faith, hope, and trust in our Father.

Three points to ponder
1. In the heart of the righteous Christian, prayer isn’t just an act; it’s a way of life – an embodiment of faith, a beacon of hope, and an eternal communion with God. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (Jam 5:16b, NIV).

2. The fervent prayers of the righteous will result in miracles and healing. “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray… Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him… And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (Jam 5:13-16a).

3. Effective prayer has greater results than we can imagine. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that work in us” (Eph 3:20).

I encourage you to surround yourself with godly friends who pray alongside you. May you experience the incredible power of prayer this year.

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Date published: 21/02/2024
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only. Artwork from www.freepik.com

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