Jesus Christ taught His disciples how to pray. Learn how to pray and know who to pray to. Have faith when you pray. I know all these can be easier said than done. But with God all things are possible. He is the author and finisher of our Faith. (cf. Hebrews 12:2)

I cried as I saw my mother lying on a hospital bed helpless. It seemed as if the Doctors have done their best and there was little hope for Mom to make it. My mother saw the tears running down my cheeks and told me not to cry but to pray. I was just about 7 years old. My mother was discharge from the hospital not because she was feeling better but because she was very sick and the doctors didn’t know what else to do. She was given some medicines to take home.

Neighbors came to our house to find out what was happening. They have heard a scream. Mom was sitting on the bed with her back supported with two pillows. She was having a little nap and suddenly woke up with a scream. She had had a dream:

She saw herself going out of a village to the forest. As she kept walking on the narrow road going deeper into the forest then appeared a very white cloud above. The cloud was so white beyond immaculate. She saw a very large cross in the sky. The cross came and stood in front of her blocking her path, and she could go no further. She then knelt in front of the cross and the Lord Jesus appeared and placed His hand on her head. After, she got up and started going back to the village.

When she arrived the village she saw a male classmate they attended primary school together. He was asking her how she managed to go to that place and come back. She was pointing at the cross but was not sure the man saw it and she woke up sweating and nervous.

Unfortunately, when she tried to inquire about the man, she was told the man also was seriously sick in one village. She tried to contact the man to tell him to pray but to no avail. People who gave her the information about the man’s state of health were not closer to him.  Bad news travels fast even if the road is not motorable. She only heard again the man was dead. I believe the place referred to in the dream was the world of the dead. Mom had told me to pray when I was weeping in the hospital.  But then I didn’t know how to pray and could only mumble words in desperation. I know people were praying for her. Mom attended Church but didn’t know God personally. This happened more than 45 year ago and Mom is still living.  There are many testimonies about the Living Christ. This one is just one of them.  The world has witness many miracles but why are many people still full of unbelief?

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. (Heb. 12:1)

Yes, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.  Jesus appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. (1 Cor. 15: 6) The Bible gives records of many people Jesus appeared before his ascension to Heaven. But our Lord Jesus is not only historical as there is still a great cloud of witnesses today in different forms of Christ’s encounters.

My dad was bed ridden for more than a year. He could only pass out urine through a needle and a tube. He went through pains but each time he will sing, “it is well with my soul”. There were so many prayers made for him but the Lord took him home.

Christian suffering is a mystery. Psalm 73 tells us about the tragedy of the wicked, and the blessedness of those who trust in God. Satan caused God to test Job. Job had examined himself and concluded that he has done no wrong for God to inflict on him such pain. We may have something to boast about but not before God. We always have to examine ourselves to make sure our prayers are not hindered. I read that if a man is free from sin, he is healed of over 1245 diseases. Although this can’t be confirmed but living a clean life is good for health. A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. (Proverbs 14:30) I have a Christian Brother who used to always quote this verse:

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (John 15:7)

He became sick one time and I reminded him of the scripture he always quoted. I said who spoke those words and he replied John. I said John wrote it down but he is not the one who said those words. Jesus did. I said if he can rely on certain men’s words what about Jesus’ words. Can you hold those words of Jesus until it comes to pass in your life? Of course it requires faith and without faith it is difficult to please God. Faith is a revelation and that is why a personal relationship with God is important to rest on His promises and accept His will.

However, having the faith doesn’t guarantee that your request will be granted according to your terms. However, your faith certainly pleases God who knows what is best. He wants us to prosper in health.  The Apostle Paul prayed for healing three times and God’s reply to him was, “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Cor. 12:9) We know his thorn of flesh was there as a buffet. God is so much concern about our salvation and anything that can be a hindrance He knows. He chastises those that he loves (Hebrews 12:6-7) It is good to have a relationship with God to understand His will and purpose. God answers prayers in many ways, and it may not happen in the way we want. Many of us have prayed for loved ones but they still died. The grieve obviously is severe but the grace is always sufficient for all who lean on Jesus. When a child is born, he cries entering into the new world. The womb has been his home for nine months. After living in the new world on earth for several years to enter into a new life that he has never known becomes painful.  But when he enters heaven, he rejoices. That is human nature. I want to make this article sound optimistic to the readers to build faith. We need to keep up our relational prayer with God and build a relationship. We need to have the mind of Christ. If things don’t turn out the way we want, we still give God the glory.

Prayer is the key. God may choose to heal us in the hospital, or through an herbal supplement from the counter or by a miracle. It is God who works in us to will and to do for His good pleasure. God answers prayers.

“Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”(James 5:14-16)

There are all kinds of issues mankind is facing today: Afflictions and diseases, Addictions, Depression, etc. Prayer is the key. It opens the door and provide many divine corridors. It can direct you to the right doctor for your situation. You must have heard of guardian angels. Yes, God has many of them still. Keep praying no matter the situation.

Pray without ceasing. You know prayer is also a weapon against the enemy. I know there are moments when the problems can be very over whelming. You need brothers and sisters to pray with you. We are always here to help. Let us put on the armor of God and never surrender to the enemy.

You may want to listen to a sermon to build your faith. You can listen to sermons here.  Or, you may listen to your own collection of sermons from other ministers. The idea is just to help build your faith. Finally, remember: All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)