“Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus.” Luke 5:18-19
The power of prayer, especially intercessory prayer is amazing. It is beyond human understanding. We can’t even imagine it’s power.
You who have followed The Road of Faith and know our story know of my daughter’s illness. You know of that night in the ICU. But, something I’ve not shared on The Road is the power of intercessory prayer that was displayed that night.
She had a seizure at 7:00 AM, we spent the day in the ICU waiting room, while she lay inside. Her condition was serious. Our family gathered and prayed. My daughter did not improve.
After visiting hours, my family went home. I stayed in the ICU waiting room. I prayed God’s protection and healing for my daughter. I prayed for my faith that had just fallen. My prayers rang hollow in my mind and heart.
“I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24
I was very close to the bottom – that was just hours away. With my prayers sounding so thin and empty in my ears, I turned to prayer warriors. My Emmaus brothers and sisters – I knew if God wouldn’t hear my prayer, they would stand and kneel for me and He would hear. In the corner of the waiting room sat a computer. I pulled up email and typed on our groupsite, “Brothers, I need your help. My daughter is in the ICU. I beg you to lift her up in prayer and rock the very throne of God with her name.”
Oh how they responded!! See the next blog for the end of this story.
“When he saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the one who was paralyzed—“I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.” Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God.” Luke 5:20-25