The Power of Prayer

“I told you not to bring the witch doctor here!”

A woman attending our church (let’s call her Beauty) has a husband who has been sick for five days with a fever. He has gotten so ill that he lapses into times of unconsciousness. Beauty’s friends encourage her to send for the witch doctor. She refuses, claiming they no longer do that since they follow Jesus now. When Beauty leaves the house to go get food, the friends ignore her request and bring the witch doctor to the man’s bedside.

Beauty returns as the witch doctor is putting a poultice on her husband’s bare abdomen. Horrified, she cries out, “I told you not to bring the witch doctor here! You should not have done this!” As the witch doctor spreads the poultice, her husband goes into convulsions. Beauty runs out the door and heads to the house of our pastor and his wife.

- - - We interrupt this story with a quick note: our pastor’s wife has been visiting the town where Beauty and her husband live regularly, sharing the gospel in people’s homes. The townspeople have been nice, but not very receptive. The pastor’s wife is on her knees daily praying for the people of this area. Now back to our story… - - -

Arriving at the pastor’s house, Beauty frantically tells them what is happening. They all stop and pray. They pray for the healing of her husband. They pray that the witch doctor will be gone by the time they get back to the house. Lifting their heads, the three of them then walk back to the woman’s house.

Ducking down to enter the wooden hut, they first notice the absence of the witch doctor. Beauty goes over to her husband and behold, the Great Healer has moved and he is better – no convulsions, no unconsciousness, no fever! Praise the Lord!

Beauty’s friends stand wide-eyed in the corner of the hut. The pastor’s wife looks over at them. “If you want me to, I will come tomorrow and share with you what God’s Word says about witch doctors.”

When the next day arrives, the pastor’s wife heads back to the hut, Bible in hand. Her heart leaps as she sees the place FILLED with people who are eager to listen. She opens the Word and begins to read God’s Truth to them.

“We didn’t know!” the people cry out. “We didn’t know God did not want us to do those things.” Deeply moved, they begin to pray and sing in response to hearing the Word of God. “Please come next week and teach us more about how God wants us to live,” they beg the pastor’s wife. Amazed, the pastor’s wife praises the Lord in her heart. So many hours praying for these people. So many hours visiting with these people, sharing the gospel. And now, God has chosen to demonstrate His power and people are hungry to hear more. Praise His name!

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Let me share this with you. I have not been overwhelmed by the spiritual darkness here like so many have. Not because I am impervious to it, or because I am a ‘super Christian’, but by the power and grace of God moving in my life because of your prayers! You have asked for this, and that hearts would be prepared ahead of time to hear God’s Word. That they have! My friends, thank you. God is so good.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

You can also be praying for me in the next step God would have me to take. I know six months seems like a long time, but it is just flying by. I am content to wait for God to tell me what to do next (Psalm 27:14), but would like to hear His voice clearly and be obedient to follow whatever He asks me to do. :)

I love you all,
Cara :)
Isaiah 40:3-5, 27-31