Edited by author 01-09-2007 12:54 PM
"Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you". 1 Peter 5:7
Hi:
My name is Glenda and I am an Orthodox Christian from Ohio.
Does God answer prayer? Absolutely.
I was not the one praying, but the one being prayed for. Let me give you a little history first.
I haven't been in good health for over 10 years. I have been on oxygen 24 hours a day for many years now. I suffer from asthma, sarcoidosis, and sleep apnea among many, many other illnesses.
Many months ago I had gone so far downhill in my breathing that my fingernails were turning somewhat blue. I wasn't looking forward to another extended stay in the hospital with what I figured was either blood clots in my lungs again or sarcoidosis again. (a rare disease that leaves scarring in your lungs).
I decided to forgo the hospital for a little longer and go to Catechumen class at Church first. We were new there and I didn't want to miss class. After class I told Father John, our Parish priest, that I was heading to the hospital and why. I asked him to pray for me and he said that he would pray but the he also wanted to anoint me with the Oil of Saint Herman. By this time, after the walk to the car, I was gasping for air so I couldn't hear all of Father John's words but he made the Sign of the Cross on my forehead with the Oil and prayed for the healing of the problem in my lungs. When he was done praying he said goodbye and was hardly pulling from the parking lot when I could take full, deep, cleansing breaths! I hadn't been able to breathe like that in several years!! I started laughing and crying, shouting and praising God repeatedly while I took these Heavenly breaths over and over. My husband and I were both elated and we could hardly believe what happened; a real miracle!
When we got home we quickly called Father John expecting him to be surprised too. While he was very happy for me, he wasn't at all surprised. He said something like.. Expect miracles Glenda! God is alive and He cares for us. I was shocked. I already knew all this but to have it put in that context I was knocked for a loop. Yes, why not expect miracles.
For me and my house, we know that God hears and answers prayers. We've seen quite a few miracles attached to our Church and we know that there will be many more to come. By the way, I can still take deep breaths! What a great God and Savior we have. :p
