Thursday, August 16, 2012

Day 24

Sometimes we need to be reminded of the power of prayer.  We like to see that unfold in our own lives, but do we slow down enough to look at how God is using our prayer in someone else's life?  Ever wonder if that prayer you promised to pray for a friend matters?  Struggle with why God would bring a person to mind and have you pray for them?  Have those odd moments when you are praying for someone you don't even know, but are doing it because someone asked you to?

Well, today our guest writer will give you a glimpse into what it is like to be the recipient of all those prayers.  I shared with you earlier in this journey about some dear friends of mine, Cory and Tiffany.  Their little girl, Ashlyn, became part of our prayer experience as many of you prayed for this child you didn't even know.  Here are Tiffany's thoughts on prayer through these last few weeks.


See things were just getting back to “normal” around here since Cory’s diagnosis with a malignant brain tumor. I was seeing some issues with my little 4 year old daughter that was scaring me, same issues that I had seen her dad have before he was diagnosed. I was praying and praying to God, “Please!!!! Please just let this be nothing, an ear infection or something of that nature.” I was concerned so I asked my small group to lift her up in prayer as well.

Well, July 25th I had requested her doctor order her a CAT scan I was praying, but sure God would not let this happen to our family again! Then we get that call to come in and see the doctor, from there it’s a blur.

“God, how can you let this happen again?!” “Why are you doing this to us?!” “What have I done wrong, that You are punishing my family for?” These are some of the things that kept running through my mind as we were traveling to Indianapolis. I was angry, questioning, in disbelief.



The power of prayer is amazing, when I just couldn’t pray there were MANY and I mean many, probably 100’s lifting up my baby girl in prayer. People gathered around altars during her surgery, people were fasting, people couldn’t sleep the night before her surgery and just prayed and prayed!!! Something changed inside me; I could sense God’s work….. I could feel Him working. Everything went smoothly, perfectly if you will. He never left my baby girl and held her in His arms from the very beginning. She had major swelling and lots of fluid buildup in her brain, yet NO symptoms other than headaches. Her tumor was attached to 5 major nerves – swallowing, breathing, speaking were just a few to name…. yet they just “popped” off during surgery. Her tumor, which looked very much like her dad’s, was not cancer!!!! We had the BEST neurosurgeon there. She is healing wonderfully! I found myself then praising God for healing her, for showing us all a miracle because that is what I am sure it is. I was thanking Him for allowing us to go through, because now I know He wants to use us for His ministry somehow/ someway.

Also, what is amazing is a family that I met through Facebook whose 3 year old son is fighting against brain cancer. Well we ended up being a Riley’s the exact same length of time in the same units!! They believe in Christ, but are not active in their faith. We (I and the other mom) believe that the Lord placed me there for her because they received terrible news and we were able to shine God’s light into their lives. There was a nurse who Ashlyn had that told us before she even met Ashlyn she prayed for her!! God was working in so many ways, that I didn’t even notice.
Even in your darkest of days, the times when you are questioning God I have found to rest in the arms of those who are lifting you up in prayer. It was all those prayer warriors that helped turned my attitude around, who calmed me, who gave me peace. It was those prayer warriors who the Lord heard and answered their request!


1 Chronicles 16:11- Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.


Psalms 4:1- Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: you have enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.


Psalms 145:18- The LORD is near to all them that call on him, to all that call on him in truth.


1 Thessalonians 5:17- Pray without ceasing.


 


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