By Josephine Lim Weston
When we pray for something we have just got to trust God with it, or I should say entrust God with our prayer requests. Because the foundation of every relationship begins with trust. In order to see our friendships or relationships flourish there must be the presence of trust. The same with our relationship with God. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
Starting a month ago, my consultant has been keeping a close watch over my pregnancy and to the extent of now wanting to scan the baby's progress and development weekly. He started initially by saying that he thought might have to take the baby out at 29 weeks pregnancy but hoping for a better chance of baby's survival to be at 32 weeks. Now he said might be at 34 weeks if the baby is found to be in a complicated position. I'm currently into my 27 weeks of pregnancy and by the grace of God baby is moving, active and heartbeat is good. God has been faithful as He has been sending people to encourage me from time to time although I have been reading Supernatural Childbirth book by Jackie Mize many times over and over again declaring God's blessings and promises on me and the baby. One person that I met in the park who saw me pregnant asked me about my pregnancy as she's visiting her daughter's family. She's from Nigeria. Her daughter is one of my next road's neighbours whom I met at a nearby Children centre. I told her just a short summary about my pregnancy and she said to me, "What does God say? There shall none cast her young, nor be barren, in your land: the number of your days I will fulfill. (Exodus 23:26). All is well with your baby." I replied straightaway and said "Amen!" to all she said. My husband and I are trusting God for a full-term baby.
From a few weeks ago, while reading our usual night time Bible story to my son, the phrase "Trust in Me" from the stories of Jesus' healing ministry and Peter tried walking on water has been playing repeatedly in my heart and mind ever since. I have attached the pictures here. What an encouragement as God keeps reminding us again and again to trust Him no matter what our circumstances are.
Extracted from The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories
Two weeks ago, my next door neighbour who is in her mid 80s and had been struggling with bruised legs for quite a long time got to the stage where it was so severe that blood was literally oozing out from her legs. Ambulances were called out twice within the gap of a few days and finally she had to be admitted to hospital and almost died due to tremendous loss of blood. She was given a blood transfusion at the hospital. My husband and I prayed for her during the time she was at the hospital as we couldn't visit her with our active boy. I told my husband that so long as she's on warfarin (a type of medication) the same problem will persist. She needs to come off that medication. All we could do was to pray and keep praying for her. Finally she was discharged after a week and I had the opportunity of visiting her last Sunday. She told me that when she was at the hospital and almost at the verge of dying she kept praying in her heart as that's the only thing she could do. (I was so happy to hear that as we weren't sure of her salvation as we have been encouraging her spiritually and even bought her a book "Health Food Devotions" by Kenneth Hagin and she has been reading it since.) She was told that the medication - warfarin that she had been taking as a result of her heart condition, was known as rat poison by the paramedics who attended to her. While she was at the hospital, a consultant told her that the condition of her legs had been wrongly diagnosed by the doctors and now she has been given a whole new set of medication minus warfarin and so is much happier and healthier and no more bloodied legs. She thanked God for a new lease of life. I was so happy to hear that and my husband too. The Bible says:
Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours] - Philippians 4:6-7
Last week, my active almost-3 year old son who enjoys closing every door misjudged the length of his index finger which was perching by the frame of the bathroom door while his other hand trying to close the door. I saw it and told him to stop (before he closed the door) but it was too late as he was too fast and the next moment he cried holding on to his left index finger with tears streaming down his cheeks. I tried to peel his right fingers off his left to see the extent of the injury and I could see blood flowing out from his left index finger. I quickly grabbed hold of some toilet papers and pressed it gently against his index finger even though he tried to resist it and I quickly prayed over his finger that by Jesus' stripe he is healed, blood stop bleeding in Jesus' Name! I was hoping in my heart that his finger isn't broken as thoughts crossed my mind that I might have to get his daddy home from work and might need to bring him to the hospital if it's serious. I hoped not but just got to trust God to answer our prayers. I had another look at his finger and realised his finger finally stopped bleeding, and he had stopped crying and his finger still with blood on the side of his finger looked fine and not crooked. Praise the Lord! Three days later a piece of thick yellow skin came off his index finger. What a relief! Our God is faithful to answer our prayers. In fact on that very night of his injury he was so brave that he used his index finger like normal flipping pages on books.
What God wants is for us to trust Him regardless of our circumstances. That's what Jesus had been emphasising throughout His ministry on earth. Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in Me (John 14:1). And indeed He is a God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Mark 5:36
And Jesus immediately, having heard the word that is spoken, saith to the chief of the synagogue, 'Be not afraid, only believe.'
Luke 8:50
and Jesus having heard, answered him, saying, 'Be not afraid, only believe, and she shall be saved/healed.'
Matthew 14
31 Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him (Peter), saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those in the boat worshiped Him [with awe-inspired reverence], saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”
Always remember - "Trust in Me" Jesus is telling all of us. When face with doubts, problems and trials, ask ourselves what did God say in His word. That's what we live by and that's how we will see our prayers answered and miracles happened. God bless all of you!
Here are a few encouraging worship songs to share with all of you:
Through It All
Be Still
Oceans
