If you don’t know where to start, start with a prayer. Talk to God, and He will lead you. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be known by God.”
Reflecting on past life experiences, whether it be loss, sickness, suffering, or even joyful and happy times, God has taught me to never cease praying. As humans we see some only pray and seek God when it comes to the hard times, but as the Bible teaches us, we should pray in good as well as hard times. It’s so easy to not pray and give thanks when life is good, and you don’t have a worry or a heartache…to only seek him when we’re in need.
Growing up in a Baptist home, I was taught to pray with conviction. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with one of my uncles, who has always had a positive influence in my life. As we were catching up on how we had been doing lately, he started to fill me in about how powerful prayers had recently affected his life and how, unknown to me, he had recently been battling cancer. He was told by a doctor that due to his age and current health conditions, among other things, treatment was not an option, as he would not likely survive. He asked, “Why would you not give me a chance?” And the doctor told him, “You would have to pass a series of tests in order to receive the treatment or even be eligible for the treatment.” My uncle replied, “Let’s do it!” My uncle told his doctor, “My God is bigger than anything! And through my family and my prayers, I believe in Jesus’ name, I can be healed, and His will be done!” After a few days and his prayers, along with his family of prayer warriors, my uncle returned to the clinic for the testing.
A few days went by, and my uncle received a phone call from his doctor saying to him, “We have great news; you are eligible for treatment. Come in, and we can start your treatments!” Praise God! Now the real work began, as treatments would be underway. As he would return to the facility daily to receive treatments, he would take his Bible and read and pray, as well as meet new people and minister to them. As he got to know other patients, he would start to pray healing over them and encourage them to keep the faith! After a long journey of treatments and dealing with the effects of the treatment: there were many horrible days of feeling bad and some good days. Once treatments were finally done, the day came to go back to the doctor’s office. The doctor came in and said, “Well, great news, all the scans and tests came back and show you are now cancer free!” In that moment, my uncle praised God, proclaiming, “Jesus, my Almighty Savior and Healer, You have healed me, and I will praise You and I will testify to your healing and ministry and tell of how you have healed me!” Ever since that day, he has done just that! He always sings praises to our King, and ministers to others who are in need who have no hope. He continues to be a disciple of Christ!
Not only has his experience been his testimony, but that doctor has decided to never let any age limit or past medical history be a deciding factor in who does or does not get treatment. The doctor told my uncle, “Sir, I know that as doctors, we are expected to know all the answers, but we are human, and we make mistakes as well. I have watched you through your treatments. I admire your faith and have seen you praying, and you have taught me through power of prayer, anything is possible!”
As I listened to my uncle, my eyes filled with tears of joy, to know how one person can truly make a difference! His entire life and his testimony are perfect examples of a disciple who has always committed his life to minister to others and has always dedicated his life to helping others find Christ. Even in his worst times, and maybe even scariest times, he continued to have faith and never gave up knowing that the Lord had the final say!
I am truly blessed with my family, which includes many disciples of Christ, and from a child even to this day, I have learned so much from every single one of our patriarchs! I pray that I can continue to show to my children and grandchildren the same faith in prayer and trust in the Lord.
We want to thank Linda Hernandez for sharing this post.
Women's Ministry 