The phone rang. Stephen was expecting a phone call from the hospital. His sister had gone into labor a few hours earlier, and he was ready for the good news.

"Stephen, something is wrong," quivered the voice on the other end, "Please come down to the hospital immediately, and bring your God."

As Stephen and his wife came the hospital, the entire family was already there. The baby girl had been born brain dead. They walked into the room where the eerie silence was interrupted with beeps and bells of the numerous machines connected to the tiny infant.

"The doctors are saying there is no hope. They say if she lives, she will never develop her mental capacity. Can you pray? Can you pray to God and ask him to help her? Please?"

Other than Stephen and his wife, no one else in that room believed in God. The doctors gave the family no hope. The diagnoses of the specialists was not good.

Stephen placed his hands on the baby and prayed. As he walked out of that room, a deep conviction came upon him. "You call that prayer?" Immediately, Stephen and his wife went to the lobby of the hospital. They began praying harder--crying out to God. The others in the lobby must have thought something strange was happening.

They continued praying and interceding. They petitioned the Creator of life to give life to this tiny child. They cried out to God for healing and mercy upon this family. They interceded with prayers and requests for this newborn.

They finished praying and drove home. When they arrived home, a message was waiting for them on the answering machine. "Stephen, get back here quick. Something is happening." They immediately rushed back to the hospital.

As they walked back into that hospital room, the little girl was wide awake and fully conscience. "When you left, she woke up and started pulling all the tubes out of her mouth and nose. The doctors can't believe it. I can't believe it."

The little girl is now four years old and living a healthy, normal life. God intervened on behalf of this little child. The mom and dad gave their life the Lord after seeing his miraculous touch. God was glorified.

Prayer changes things. It's not a ritual mouthing of words--it's talking to God, our Father. It's pressing in and not letting go until there is a breakthrough. It's trusting God.

"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16b, NKJV).

Blessings!

Russell

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|  Russell Pond     <><
|  Season of Peace
|  email:  ponder@season.org
|  web:    http://www.season.org

© Russell Pond 1999
Reprinted with permission