Eleven years ago, I stood in the chapel at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY, and shared with our faculty and staff that my 71-year old father had become a believer. We had prayed for him for 36 years, and God dramatically changed him. Dad was so different the last three years of his life that we had to get to know a different man. He became lovable, humble, teachable, gracious, and joyous—filled with the peace of God that surrounded him even at death.
My mom, though, wasn’t there yet. We’ve continued to pray for her since then, and I’ve asked believers around the world to join me in that praying. Well . . . I’m rejoicing today that God has saved my mom! I talked with her for some time earlier this week, and she spoke openly of the peace and forgiveness God has granted her. Like I did with my dad before her, I heard in her voice the joy of redemption. Needless to say, I and my believing family members are praising the Lord today!
So, here’s my encouragement:
- Don’t give up if you’re still praying for someone you love to follow Jesus. The 36 years we prayed for my dad and the 47 years we’ve prayed for Mom are nothing on God’s timetable. His calendar is not ours, but He still saves people according to His timing.
- Get others to join you in the praying. I’m convinced the combined prayers of God’s people over the years contributed to God’s saving my mom. Something just happens when God’s people pray together.
- Love your non-believing friends and family members with the love of God, even when they’re not interested in the gospel. Consistent expressions of the grace of God, I trust, are one of God’s means by which He melts a hardened heart. I’m deeply grateful for those who kept loving me even when I continually rejected their message.
- Watch for glimpses of God’s work in folks for whom you’re praying. Looking back, I can see where God was already working in my mom’s life; I just wasn’t always looking for it. I now don’t want to miss His hand in the lives of others on my prayer list.
- Renew your hope based on stories of God’s answers to prayer. I wrote this post first to praise the Lord publicly, but also to encourage our readers to keep praying and trusting. I hope that’s a result for you.
Thank you, Lord.
Great reminders in that message this morning. Thanks for the encouragement.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!! Thank you for sharing this with us and Praise God for salvation.
The angels are rejoicing too, my friend.
Praise God! I remember praying for your mom years ago when you were a guest speaker for our church.
Praise the Lord! May we never give up on people
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Pastor Chuck, I remember when you were our interim pastor and told us about your dad. We have been praying off and on for your mom since then. What a testimony. Praise be to Jesus, our Lord and Savior! We celebrate with you.