A prayer that produced results

The chapter 11 of Gospel by St. John is unique. This chapter is unique because it speaks about a person who was dead and buried in the tomb for four days came back to earthly life again!!. The name of the person is Lazarus. He was a friend of Jesus. This is a great miracle, which only Jesus could do. The way prayer is mentioned in the chapter has got special significance. It has special importance in my life as well. Let me tell the story.

About 6 years back I worked in Saudi Arabia. Given the rather strange set of rules, we used to assemble in certain houses secretly for nourishing the christian spiritual life. Only very few courageous homes opened the doors for such prayers as it is unlawful (forbidden) in that country. (If caught jail terms and punishment follow). One such family belonged to a very religious person who worked as senior finance manager in a group of companies. (I won't give the names here, as it is better for them to be confidential). Both uncle and aunt led very prayerful lives and guided many other in that country. Thank God, now I am out of that weird country and now free to nourish my spiritual life following the teachings of Christ.

Once I got a severe back pain. I tried to manage it by taking rest at home. However, it did not help. The pain started aggravating. Finally I went to a doctor (orthopedic) in a famous hospital in the country. He sent me for physiotherapy. I believe the physiotherapist was unqualified or misread the instruction, my situation became worse and hardly could get up from the bed after a few sessions! I leaned like Pizza Tower of Italy - i.e. I walked with a lean to the left. It was very painful. It took lot of effort to sit down or get up. I walked slowly that too with pain in my back and left leg.The doctor said he needed MRI Scan of my back and X-rays are not sufficient. MRIs produced a disaster scenario as one disc was protruding out and touching some nerve that passing to the left leg. He suggested immediate surgery. I was devastated and became almost tearful.

I went into a hospital with a relatively normal back pain and made worse by the treatment. I tried to complain, but was useless. (I don't know whether it is true. But someone told me the hospital where I went had an arrangement with the doctors to share the charges of surgery). As the hospital began to force me for surgery, which I wanted to at any cost and as I had no relatives in that country or could I afford a trip back to my home country due to health reasons, I turned to my spiritual power sources.       

                                                                                                                                                   

I approached the prayer group which used to assemble at the house mentioned above. I phoned the prayer group. Many in the prayer group had also called me and offered their support.

I started my intense prayer to Jesus and turned to New Testament and Psalms. That evening I took a taxi to the home to the uncle's house. Uncle and aunt were waiting for me. Both uncle and aunty offered all the help. Uncle advised me to be practical and if it is God's will that surgery is required we can do it in Saudi itself at a different hospital, where he knew good doctors. He said there is no need to worry and consider him as my elder brother and all help would be provided. But I said it was my intent desire to avoid surgery at any cost. Aunty told me to have faith. She reminded how faith proved powerful in various instances in Bible. Jesus, before performing any miracle, usually asked a question. "Do you believe in me? or Do you believe that I can do this for you?" Only if we believe ardently in Jesus, the miracles will happen.

Both began to pray for me. While aunt prayed she was in tears and as she prayed I felt a strange sensation in my back. After the prayer, I felt more comfortable. It was a good decision to go to their home and pray with them. Both advise me to get a second opinion from another doctor.

Next day, I went to another orthopedic. At first he was little furious that I came to him when the problem got worse. Yet he agreed to examine me. The MRI Scan results and images were checked and he passed his judgement. "your MRI shows a worse case and surgery is the only remedy". He warned to get it done at the earliest or my left leg will get paralyzed. My heart sank with disappointment. I asked him whether that is his final diagnosis. He said 'yes' and added that MRIs cannot be wrong; however he said he will warp it up with a final physical examination on me. 

He asked me to stand straight and then bent me left, right, forward, backward, etc. He made lie down and twisted and moved my legs in different directions. Confusion was evident in his face.  He told me what he saw from the physical examination is entirely different from what he saw in the MRI Scan. For the first time since I entered the room he smiled and said 'young man, there is hope'. I felt relieved and said that the prayers are answered.

He then asked for the prescription from the first doctor. He changed everything, saying that it was muscle relaxants that are required. He did not prescribe any physiotherapy but asked me to wear a protective belt and to follow a few precautions in day to day life (like don't bend, don't use steps, etc). He asked me to loose weight for some time and asked me to walk to the extent possible. Under his guidance, within a week I was able to go back to work.

My goodness! How happy I was. I thanked Jesus, who is God himself profusely. The prayer worked! I went back and witnessed to the prayer group, how a miracle happened in my life. How a surgery as prescribed by two doctors initially was cured by prayer. I said that it was when aunt prayed that I felt a sensation in my back and I truly believe that is the moment when miracle happened. I thanked everyone especially aunt. They all reminded that they were mere instruments and the Glory belongs to God. Aunty told me that whenever we pray, we need to do it on 'deeply move' basis as mentioned in Chapter 11 of St.John's Gospel. That's why she said, when she prayed her eyes became tearful.

It was one of the truly powerful prayers experienced in my life. See how Lord works even in a country like Saudi Arabia. During my life thereafter, I always tried to associate with blessed prayer groups which assemble in the name of Jesus. Staying close to Jesus continues to be a blessing in life even now. My prayer is that my life be continue to be filled with positive blessings from our Lord.

I would also advise the readers of this blog be associated with Jesus and a strong prayer group where you can get the prayer support when needed.

Thank you Jesus. Thanks for loving us. Thanks for being with us. Thanks for forgiving us. Thanks for hearing our prayers.  Many thanks for all thy blessings.