But, when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6 NIV)
When Joshua was born, one kidney did not function. The doctors ordered immediate surgery to save his life. His mother, Nancy, suffered from inexplicable internal bleeding. Jim, the husband and father, spent his time between his family in the hospital and home with an older son. The couple asked their church to pray for them. Many answered that call, not only covering them in prayers but also, springing into other actions. They visited the hospital, brought food to the house, and car-pooled the older son to school as well as to other events.
Every night, after visiting hours, Pastor Howard went to the hospital alone. In the quiet of the nursery, he would hold Joshua, walk him, rock him, and pray over him.
Joshua is four years old now. He tells his mother that he wants to be Pastor Howard when he grows up. He likes to stand on the platform, lean on the pulpit, and pretend to preach. Pastor Howard always has time to stop and talk to Joshua. They have a very special relationship that started after 10 o’clock at night four years ago in a hospital nursery. And, no one knows about it except Pastor Howard, Joshua, the night nurses, and God.
Prayer: Father God, help us to know when it is time for corporate prayer and when it is time to go to you in prayer secretly.
© copyright: Christy Struben 2009
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1 comment:
I do know about the power of prayers. I pray that there will be more people willing to spend time in prayer. Large or small, God does care and answers.
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