The Healing Power of Prayer
Date Published: 6/19/2017
You may have already noticed that we live in a “fallen†world. Every where we turn, there are physical and emotional sicknesses, evil behaviors, sufferings, terrorism, corruption and the list goes on.
We hear negative news all around us and we feel bad and saddened when someone gets hurt, killed, or afflicted with a disease. And rightfully so. But when pain hits home and affects us personally, it’s a whole different song and dance. The emotional “disgust†cranks up to levels of devastation, fearfulness and hopelessness.
Last April, our son Peter who is thirty-two, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). First, we were in complete disbelief when we heard the news. Then, after the dust settled down (e.g. after much crying and a few sleepless nights…), we summoned all we had to not think of the worse. We chose not to panic and refused to rely solely on what the statistics reveal about MS. We told our son this truth: a diagnosis is not a sentence. As such, we all became determined to combine all the resources we could to help him go through this.
Peter immediately embarked on what we call an “all around treatment program.†Aside from traditional medical doctors and medication, we were very fortunate and blessed to have access to alternative holistic treatments. Peter followed recommendations and started immediately with specific physical, neurological therapy along with targeted supplements.
We also believe that God is with us not only in good times but in troubling times too. So the three of us did turn to Him. We’ve come to learn that sometimes, He will use a tragedy or allow pain into our life to get our attention and lead us closer to Him. When we learn to rely on Him for everything, He promises not to take away the trials, but to hold our hand as we walk through it.
The Power of Prayer should not be underestimated. God most definitely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and moves in response to prayers. And when family, friends, colleagues across the US and Canada, start praying for the same request, consistently, it’s amazing to see how the Lord can work in someone’s life. This doesn’t mean it happens right away, nor does it mean all cases get cured through prayers. Sometimes people’s illnesses are not stopped or not even slowed down in spite of many intercessions. But the bible says: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.†Romans 8:28 (NLT) And for God, “good†is not time bound. It’s eternal.
In Peter’s case, we have literally witnessed the miracle of fervent and frequent prayers. Shortly after the diagnosis, we visited the neurologist again for a follow up visit. After he thoroughly examined him, reviewed his MRI and lab results, he came to the conclusion that our son’s condition was not only treatable… it was reversible!!! We all know that MS is a neurologic degenerative disease, so to get that kind of news was somewhat destabilizing to say the least… After the tears of joy and hugs, we asked the specialist “Can you define what you mean by reversible?†He said “Well, it means what it means. I believe Peter will eventually recuperate and have no side effects from the disease. It may take some time but that’s what I think.â€
A few weeks later, our son is doing a lot better already. He is certainly not fully healed, but on the road to recovery!
The power of prayer is not the result of the person praying. Rather, the power resides in God who is being prayed to. No matter what trouble and trials are going on in our lives, we can have the utmost confidence in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Remember, a diagnosis is not a sentence. It’s only a revelation of a medical condition. Through God, we can make of it either a blessing or a curse. Before we assume that there is no hope, we can trust in the power of prayer and turn to God who promises that He will never abandon us or forsake us, if, we believe in Him.
Diane & Mario
ReLovenship
We hear negative news all around us and we feel bad and saddened when someone gets hurt, killed, or afflicted with a disease. And rightfully so. But when pain hits home and affects us personally, it’s a whole different song and dance. The emotional “disgust†cranks up to levels of devastation, fearfulness and hopelessness.
Last April, our son Peter who is thirty-two, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). First, we were in complete disbelief when we heard the news. Then, after the dust settled down (e.g. after much crying and a few sleepless nights…), we summoned all we had to not think of the worse. We chose not to panic and refused to rely solely on what the statistics reveal about MS. We told our son this truth: a diagnosis is not a sentence. As such, we all became determined to combine all the resources we could to help him go through this.
Peter immediately embarked on what we call an “all around treatment program.†Aside from traditional medical doctors and medication, we were very fortunate and blessed to have access to alternative holistic treatments. Peter followed recommendations and started immediately with specific physical, neurological therapy along with targeted supplements.
We also believe that God is with us not only in good times but in troubling times too. So the three of us did turn to Him. We’ve come to learn that sometimes, He will use a tragedy or allow pain into our life to get our attention and lead us closer to Him. When we learn to rely on Him for everything, He promises not to take away the trials, but to hold our hand as we walk through it.
The Power of Prayer should not be underestimated. God most definitely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and moves in response to prayers. And when family, friends, colleagues across the US and Canada, start praying for the same request, consistently, it’s amazing to see how the Lord can work in someone’s life. This doesn’t mean it happens right away, nor does it mean all cases get cured through prayers. Sometimes people’s illnesses are not stopped or not even slowed down in spite of many intercessions. But the bible says: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.†Romans 8:28 (NLT) And for God, “good†is not time bound. It’s eternal.
In Peter’s case, we have literally witnessed the miracle of fervent and frequent prayers. Shortly after the diagnosis, we visited the neurologist again for a follow up visit. After he thoroughly examined him, reviewed his MRI and lab results, he came to the conclusion that our son’s condition was not only treatable… it was reversible!!! We all know that MS is a neurologic degenerative disease, so to get that kind of news was somewhat destabilizing to say the least… After the tears of joy and hugs, we asked the specialist “Can you define what you mean by reversible?†He said “Well, it means what it means. I believe Peter will eventually recuperate and have no side effects from the disease. It may take some time but that’s what I think.â€
A few weeks later, our son is doing a lot better already. He is certainly not fully healed, but on the road to recovery!
The power of prayer is not the result of the person praying. Rather, the power resides in God who is being prayed to. No matter what trouble and trials are going on in our lives, we can have the utmost confidence in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Remember, a diagnosis is not a sentence. It’s only a revelation of a medical condition. Through God, we can make of it either a blessing or a curse. Before we assume that there is no hope, we can trust in the power of prayer and turn to God who promises that He will never abandon us or forsake us, if, we believe in Him.
Diane & Mario
ReLovenship
