Prayer when the situation seems impossible
By Chris Aite
Bible Reading:
“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly surprised and asked, ‘Who can be saved?’ Jesus saw them and said, “This is impossible in man, but in God everything is possible.” – Matthew 19:25-26
Read or listen to the following:
My wife and I held hands and stood on the point of the light blue sea under the hot sunlight. Huge waves of aggressive tides hit the bodies of swimmers and bodyboarders around us. The surf was difficult, very, very large. “This is like life. These waves are like challenges,” I told my wife. “We need to hold our hands with Jesus and jump higher than the waves,” a surge loomed over us, and we both thrust our bodies upwards, breathing in the air as the tower of mega’s water crashed over our heads.
“We need to bring together our families. This is serious.” … Two days later, after some time on the beach, my wife was standing alone in the hospital. She could hardly believe the words that came from the nurses. Between the two women, a man is placed on a hospital trolley. He was unconscious from a brain stroke. That guy was me.
My family and my friends were shocked to understand how serious it was, as they learned about the situation. Plans have been re-McCree, flights have been booked and travel plans have been changed. The nurse said my life is on the edge of a cliff. A deadly wave crashed over me out of nowhere, and there seemed to be little hope. The situation was very realistic and impossible. Yet the call came from prayer warriors to prayer warriors around the world. I don’t exaggerate it. They gathered together and crossed all the Gods of comfort to show his affection. The only person in the universe can bring hope to a place where there is nothing but darkness.
Two days later I regained consciousness and found myself in an addictive brain injury unit about 40 miles from my home. I had no memory of the day before. Another nurse was next to me and told me about a brain bleeding. I endured all sorts of invasive testing over the next two weeks, but I was tied to the bed. My left arm turned black after thrusts the needle. One morning I woke up and found a smiling doctor sewing a big IV line into the artery in my left wrist. No cause of the bleeding was found. My wife and I were told this was good news. And I was informed that I was going home. It was a pure miracle!
Towards the end of my hospitalization, I learned to walk again and stared at the ward with a familiarity in the clinical setting. I headed towards the outside door and saw the sign above, “High Dependency Brain Injury Unit,” and felt a sense of coldness in my spine. The thought occurred to me: “Why was I here?” And then the idea immediately followed by another idea: “Why can I leave this place?” But I did, and thankfully I returned to my wife and children. For a long time I have restored my strength and built it again.
About six months later, I am walking the Mediterranean, nearly 2 million miles from my home, taking breaks between sessions at work meetings. How about that? How can I recover enough to do that? How do I stare at the monotonous, grey roof of a hospital building?
How can you find a way when the situation is definitely not possible? In other words, it’s really and absolutely impossible. Ask Lazarus, the man Jesus grew up from death. Or Jesus is also a little girl who grew up from death. Or Demoniac, who slashed himself with the tomb released by Jesus. Or the man born a blind man who has regained his vision. Or, I myself have a high chance of death, but I am now marked down as alive. How is it possible?
I call it the “J Factor.” The facts of Jesus Christ in our lives. When everything seems totally hopeless. As you are struggling with suffering and walking through the Valley of Death, there is a man called “Cum Out!” In the midst of a dark, turbulent storm. His name means “God with us.” He “knows his man” and he will never abandon us. We can trust him, we can expect from him, we can walk with him, we can know him – our future is guaranteed for him! Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
My wife has recently drawn these words on the walls of our house as a memory of both of us. (Inspired by Psalm 93:4). Please remember this. What’s more powerful than the Tempest you face is his love for you!
Let’s pray:
Father of all comfort,
I declare today that I am turning my heart to say this, not just from the words but from the heart. There is nothing impossible for God. All words from God are pure, and he is a shield against those who trust him (Proverbs 30:5). You are my shield and you say we can really trust you, even though we should not put you in the test. When we turn to you in prayer, you run to us as we run to the son of the delectile dig. So I have placed my hopes on you today, and given you the power of your beautiful Holy Spirit. You know my weaknesses and failures. My situation. Help me walk with you in faith. Today and every day. I love your Lord. Please help my life fit those words. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/David Baileys
Christopher Aite lives with his three children in Swansea, Wales, England, with his wife, Serene. He has worked as a journalist for many years, and his own blog (hislovefrees.life) writes about encouraging others on a walk with Jesus. After a friend explained the incredible grace of God, he became a Christian in February 2002!
Pray through Psalm 15: Prayer to those who never shake up
Are you tired of being spiritually exhausted? You’ve come to the right place! Join us in the age of prayer, reflection and meditation. Put your day’s luggage behind you, refresh, update, and reconnect with God. Who is the one who never shakes you up? Explore poem sal 15 with today’s 10 minutes of devotion. If you like what you hear, you won’t miss an episode.
Because you prayed, do you need someone to pray for you? Click the button below
