If We Have The Faith - God Has The Power

He was in such agonizing pain; he drove himself to the emergency room that morning. He telephoned his wife who was at work to tell her of his plight. She knew this was unusual for her husband who had never been hospitalized in all the years of their marriage. The family had chosen the scripture, "as for me and my house; we will serve the Lord", as their motto. She began praying immediately as arrangements were made for someone to take over her class.

George and Delores had known each other since their early teens. It was not until years later that mere acquaintances became romantically involved. It was a whirlwind romance that culminated in an elopement. They were raised in Christian homes and had chosen to live for Christ and not themselves. Both had abstained from sexual activities until their wedding night.

No one knew they were married until after the official wedding held two months later. To this day, they celebrate two wedding anniversaries. They have been married 32 years; have one daughter and two granddaughters.

Familiar faces were all about when George admitted himself into the hospital. He had worked there over twenty years and interviewed most of them. He was very sick. His wife had made just a few calls to ask us to pray for her husband. She couldn't give much information other than he was in so much pain he drove himself to the hospital. We knew it was serious but didn't think his condition was life-threatening. Why? George had never been sick before other than the usual cold or headache when he overworked himself. We prayed.

It was discovered he was in kidney failure due to kidney stones in both kidneys. A specialist from another city was brought in for his care. He was in intensive care on life support. Two days after being admitted, he contracted an infection at the site of the shunt. The infection had spread throughout his body and his organs were shutting down. He received a total blood transfusion. He was on dialysis. Surgery was not an option because of his failing health. Blasting the stones in one kidney was his only chance at survival.

Because George and Delores are well-known as pastors, a prayer vigil started that literally circled the globe. His wife, daughter and all but one of his siblings were at his side.

George and I were extremely close. He allowed me to stay with him starting my second semester at University. I didn't like living on campus. He was still single at that time. I had keys to his Trans-Am, duplicate credit cards, and of course, a key to his condo. My friends thought he was cool. He'd attended the same University we were enrolled and had gone out of state for his MBA. He was my benefactor since our parents couldn't afford to pay for much. I was blessed. (Then he eloped!)

I didn't leave South Carolina for Florida when George had his near death experience. Updated reports were received almost hourly. I was able to talk to the nurses on each shift assigned to him and speak with his doctor. I wanted to know specifically about what I was to pray.

I did not want to see my brother as sick as he was. I had spoken to him early on but he was now writing on a pad because of the tubing in his throat. He was in intensive care four weeks and hospitalized for six.

It has been four years. We proclaim the goodness of the Lord each day. George's doctors said he suffered permanent kidney damage but George says he is healed.

If we have the faith, God has the power. It may seem ridiculous to some, trite to others and insane to quite a few, but prayer changes things. I know a great many reading this believe not what I say about this but what the Word of God says.

I ask believers, why should we pray if we are going to doubt our prayers will be answered? Faith is saying something that isn't so, is so; so that it can be so. It believes without physical manifestation of what we have prayed. And after we've prayed, we are to give thanks to God for answering our prayers. It may require exercising, patience, long-suffering, gentleness, love, peace, kindness but never doubt.

Again I say, if we have the faith, God has the power!

Avis Ward of GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens