One Feeble, Whispered Prayer...

When I offered to pray for Charly*, she wasn't enthusiastic about it. In fact, she wasn't 'enthusiastic' about the prayer room at all, preferring to lean on her crutches in the entrance we'd constructed between rows of lockers, and watch her year-9 class-friends noisily explore the prayer room.

"No thanks," she mumbled, when I offered her a chair, "I'm OK." "You don't look OK," I replied, motioning to her plaster-casted foot, "How did you do that?"

She explained that a horse had trodden on her foot a few days before, and had badly fractured one of the small bones. I winced (I'm not good with other people's pain/injuries... probably worse than with my own!) "Does it hurt?" "All the time," she replied with a wry smile.

She was due back in hospital to have her foot re-cast on Tuesday (last week) and the Doctors had warned her that she'd be in this cast for about 6 weeks... so, pretty much all Summer. She wasn't enthusiastic about that either. :o(

I decided that if Charly wasn't going to venture into the prayer room, then I'd just explain each of the prayer stations to her where she stood... a captive audience! [grin] And then, at the end of her stationary tour, I asked again, "Would you like me to pray for your foot?"

"I can't promise that your foot will get better," I said, admitting that my 'healing' track-record wasn't very impressive. I told her about Poppy's deafness, and about others who I've prayed for, who haven't been healed. But then I also told her a few stories about those I know who have been inexplicably, physically healed. "It's Jesus who heals, Charly... he's the one I believe in, he's the one I have faith in - even just a little bit." Charly just listened without saying anything.

"Look at it this way," I said, "if we pray for you, the worst thing that could happen is... well, nothing. But then, if something does happen, if the pain goes away, or if your fractured foot gets suddenly repaired... well, you've got some explaining to do!" She smiled... and eventually nodded her agreement. So, with a couple of her friends watching, smiling tolerantly, I prayed a very simple little, hopeful more than faith-full, prayer.

Yep, I admit it... I honestly didn't think she would be healed, but I really hoped that something would happen. I pointed out to the Lord Of All Creation on the way home that afternoon what an excellent opportunity this would be for him to 'make an appearance' via one of those 'miracle things' (I reminded him of a few I remembered were in the Bible too).

So... I was a bit disappointed, but not very surprised, when Charly didn't come skipping and dancing into the prayer room anytime that week. Oh well...

...but then, half-way through the following week, I received this text from one of the Christian teachers in the school;

"Hi Phil. Charly came to PE today. She said that the day after you prayed for her foot the pain had gone. When she went to the fracture clinic, the fracture was fixed, they have removed the plaster. She still has crutches but she said it is nearly better. One of her class mates asked if her knees could be prayed for!"

The teacher also said that other students had been pummeling her with questions about why she is a Christian, etc. and others had been asking for prayer.

Needless to say, we are very, very excited! Jesus... thank you. You are amazing.

(*name changed)

Comments

[Linda-Joy]

Great story Phil -we prayed for an ill not yet christian relative recently and absolutely no change. Who can know the mind of God? who can understand his ways? :)

[Moo]

:oD Literally AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! (in the REAL sense of the word) MY GOODNESS!! love it!! xxx

[Tina Aurand]

hi phil!!! this is an amazing story!!! i am sitting in the boiler house in minneapolis, mn and got so excited by reading this that i re-read it out loud to the group that is here. everyone here is so amazed! God is sooo cool!

[Ian Whitwood]

I teach at an inner city school with one third Pakistani pupils and a Ghanaan colleague (with whom I pray every morning at 8.15) Driving to school on the last day of term I saw a sign by the road:'54 deaths in 3 years'. Since then it has been repeated in my mind as '54 lives in 3 years' I ask God, 'At my school? How?' I go to Soul Survivor with my son and meet a lady who has just returned from Pakistan. She gives me a DVD. I meet a Ghanaan girl with Massage (Manchester) who offers to bring a Christian band into our school. My tent is next to a youth group led by a teacher from my neighbouring Catholic school in Tunstall, S-o-T! At the UCB stand Debbie tells me that she works next door to my school. My son buys Punk Monk and I am reminded about 24-7 prayer (having read 'Red Moon Rising' and 'The Vow' a few years ago) Then I check my e-mail and read the latest update from 24-7 where I read this article!!!!

[trevor hudson]

this story is such a gift for me-thank you for your risking heart friend-Trevor

[toggers]

ian, thanks so much for that short-story... it sounds like there is a much longer, and yet-unfinished story to tell there too! :)

and trevor, my gentle friend. i continue to hope that our paths cross again... and again!\\

phil.x

[Martin Horton]

That is fantastic ! Praise God. He is so full of surprises. Here's to Charley's healing having an amazing effect on her life and her mates !!! Go Jesus, we love ya !!!!