When placed in a position to help someone, we have a choice to either follow the Spirit’s prompting and Jesus’ example, or to turn away. The following story shows how powerful Satan’s hold can be on someone and how Jesus, through his church family, can break through. The Bible says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10 NIV).
The following story shows how Jesus saved two human lives and restored joy:
I had just rented my first apartment. There were a lot of us young people in the complex, as all were single units. Barbie, the girl next door, and I liked to swim after work. Whoever was ready to jump in the pool first would knock on the others’ door, and we would dive in together. Barbie was usually first. One day she was a little late so I knocked on her door only to smell gas. I knew she was home because I heard her moving around but she did not answer my knock.
Something came over me as though I was being directed by someone else to stay there and demand that Barbie come out. I’m normally not that bold. I frantically banged on the door until, finally, Barbie slowly opened the door. The gas smell rushed out at me and almost knocked me over. I ran in, opened her patio doors and windows as fast as I could while she stood there staring at me. Her eyes were real glassy, and her face white as snow. I shouted to her, “Oh Barbie, what are you doing to yourself?”
She just stood there and gave me a blank stare. Again I pleaded with her, “Oh Barb, what’s wrong with you?” She opened her robe, and it was obvious she was very pregnant. How I did not notice her condition before is a mystery, I thought she was just gaining weight. Then, in a quivering soft voice she said, “I’m trying to take my life, please don’t stop me.” With God at my side, I did.
About two and a half years later a young couple with a little child knocked on my door. It was Barbie with the father of her child and her sweet precious toddler. Her boyfriend found her, they married and baptized the little boy all in one day. I know God put me there to save Barbie, and fortunately, I obeyed.
– E. Sherman
Anxiety and worry about various areas of our lives can start to diminish our faith. The Bible is clear in it’s direction to us; to lean on God and “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Turn to the Lord for all of your burdens, great and small, and watch how He works. An example:
I was the treasurer of the Employee’s Activities Committee at my place of employment. We were planning a potluck lunch and making a list of what the committee could afford to buy vs. what we would ask the employees to bring. I reached for the money envelope in my desk drawer to determine how much money we had but the envelope was gone. I frantically looked through each desk drawer and file four or five times but it was no where in sight. Finally, when all of my own efforts failed, I asked God to lead me to the money as I wasn’t able to find it on my own. I told God I was turning this problem over to him and then stopped worrying about it.
A few days later, working at my desk, I casually opened my left desk file drawer, and without looking, I reached in, pushed some files forward and pulled out the money envelope.
– D. Ellis
If you have a personal prayer story that demonstrates God’s love and power, send it to [email protected] or P.O. Box 22785, San Diego, CA 92192. Stories may appear in several publications. Reprinted by permission.
