The 'Real God' Heard my Prayers
“This poor man called and the Lord heard him” – Ps 34:6
The next day on 2nd November 2000 when I was sitting in the ICU reception so much depressed and dejected, a person passed by me. Then he starred at me, retreated and came over to me and said, “Excuse me, are you from India?” I said, “Yes”. He then asked me, “Which part?” I replied, “Madras”. In a friendly and pleasing way, he shook my hand and said “I am Pastor Jacob George from Kerala. I am a Pastor in one of the Indian Churches here.” He then enquired what brought me there. I told him everything. He felt sorry and said a few soothing words and then asked me if he could see my son. I took him to the ICU room where my son was lying in coma. Pastor’s eyes grew wet when he saw my son’s condition. When he came back to the reception, he took my hand, patted it comfortingly and then asked if he could pray for my son. I was taken aback with surprise. I then said with tears in my eyes “Please pray for my son. I need all the prayers for my son”. He prayed. He prayed with tears and with all his heart. He prayed with agony, real concern and love. It was a strong, effective and heart touching prayer. He really wept in his prayers, unmindful of the situation and passers by. I had never heard such a soul stirring and touching prayer in my whole life. I was sobbing uncontrollably. It would be natural and alright if I cried as a father for my son’s such condition. But an unknown person was praying for my son with tears! I had never experienced such a prayer and it was something quite strange to me. None of my Hindu friends or close relatives had ever cried or prayed for my son like this. Even in prayers, we, the Hindus are selfish. We pray only for ourselves, for our family and children and NEVER for any neighbours or unknown patient or for those
S. THAYAPPAN 19 people who fought with us, talked ill and evil about us, scolded us, abused us or cheated us. One needs to have a good, divine loving heart to pray for others especially unknown and enemies. I came to know later that ONLY TRUE CHRISTIANS HAVE SUCH TYPE OF GREAT, TENDER AND HOLY LOVING HEART TO PRAY FOR OTHERS! They take the burden and sufferings of others and pray for them and also share the goodness and happiness they enjoy with others. They only have the heart to forgive other’s mistakes. Then the Pastor asked me if he could bring in some more people who are prayer warriors and who would only be too willing to pray for my son. I said, “Please bring them”. Within another one hour he brought in more than about 10 people and they all prayed for my son with tears in the ICU reception lobby.