My lessons on prayer and pondering continued when something happened after serving in our church’s tent at the city’s annual parade and festival. It seemed to be the start of experiences to bring about the healing miracles I’d wanted to see.
As people filed into the park after the parade, Jim and I were ready with games, prizes, and treats for the kids. We also answered questions about our church and offered literature to those interested. After our shift, we strolled through the park, checked out some other activities, looked through the classic cars on display, and selected something for lunch from among the many vendors. With our lunch in hand, we spotted a couple of available seats at a picnic table with two other couples. When we asked if we could share their table, they politely welcomed us. Nothing more was said while we ate until one of the couples got up and left, and a woman and two young men quickly took their place. They immediately began a conversation with us and the other couple. When one said, “Can I ask you a question?” my first thought was that it would be about God, and I suspected the other couple thought so too. It did turn out to be about God, but not at all what I was thinking. They asked if there was anything they could pray for us. Before Jim or I could say anything, the other couple asked if they were from a church. When they named their Christian church, the woman asked for prayer for her husband’s Spinal Stenosis. The three, in turn, prayed for Al, asking the Lord to heal his spine and shower Al with His love and blessings.
After the prayer, we chatted, waiting to see Al’s healing. The ones who prayed asked why we were all there. Al and his wife said they had lived down the street for 59 years and always enjoyed the annual parade and festival. When I said that Jim and I were there helping in our church’s tent, they asked if we prayed for people. No, I said, we were so busy playing games and answering questions I didn’t think to ask, but we definitely should have. They shared that they wanted to see miracles and decided to go out and pray for people. They said this was their first time and that it was scary. I encouraged them by saying what a great job they were doing. I sat amazed at how they went about it and how appreciative Al and his wife were that they had prayed for him. We were all wanting to see a miracle for him. I also found it interesting that while I’d wanted to see miracles, these young people stopped by and showed me how to do it.
Another opportunity presented itself a few months later during our early Valentine’s dinner. While waiting for our meal, two couples were seated at the table across from us. After observing them for a few minutes, I surmised they were two sisters with their husbands. Spontaneously, I told them how I had them figured out. The ladies laughed and said the guys were lifelong buddies with their wives. One added that they were there celebrating the other couple’s 50th wedding anniversary.
A few minutes later, the manager came to their table. I heard him say, “Do you want me to call 911?” They said “yes,” and the manager quickly went away. From what I overheard, it seemed the woman celebrating her anniversary was having a possible stroke. I silently started praying for her. A few minutes later, four paramedics with a gurney came between our tables. They checked out the woman, and then I heard one say to the other, “There’s weakness on the entire left side.” Then they lifted the woman onto the gurney. I was tempted to reach out my hand and pray in Jesus’s name, but I didn’t. As they were leaving, the other couple apologized to Jim and me. I told them not to worry about us and that we were praying for their friends and them. She thanked me and said they had just returned from a three-week cruise celebrating their anniversary. I continued to pray as they came to my mind for the rest of the night.
The following morning they were still on my mind. It bothered me that I didn’t touch the woman and say a quick prayer while the gurney was right in front of me. I regretted missing that opportunity to exercise my faith and save a life. While micing the teaching director at Bible study, I shared what had happened at dinner the night before and regretting not laying hands on the woman and praying for her in the restaurant. Sharon said she knew me, and I would have acted if God had prompted me. I wasn’t as sure and confessed to her that I thought the fear of looking foolish may have kept me from responding. She understood but insisted I would have acted if I was sure it was right. Although I loved that she said she knew me and believed I would have acted if God instructed, I still wasn’t so sure. But decided to think of it as a learning and growing experience.
Later I shared the story and what the teaching director said about it with my worship leader friend. Her response was similar: “I sure understand how fear can take over and keep us quiet. And even though that may have been part of the equation, I think Sharon is right. If God had truly needed you to reach out and speak out, He would have made it so clear that the fear would have been overpowered. Sometimes His work is done in quiet, faithful prayer.” She also agreed with me that God was using it as a learning and growing experience and was praying God would use it to grow us both.
In previous lessons, I learned how God could work through me without realizing it. So, did He this time, also? Could my mistake be in second guessing what I did? Were my friends right that I would have acted if God had prompted me? Or had I ignored God’s prompting out of fear? I still wasn’t sure. Nor could I be sure God hadn’t acted on my silent prayers to heal the woman. What I was sure of was that I was learning. I’d learned from strangers that prayer is appreciated and makes people feel loved. By confiding in trusted Christian friends that know me, I’d learned some about myself and that they, too, can grow from my experiences. So, the lesson from Parade Park is to keep learning and growing. And as my journey continued, I found out just how clearly God can communicate and get me to act on His prompting. I’ll share that next time.
To be continued . . . see Virtual-Island
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