The Prayer Factor

On August 5, I was taken to the hospital with severe abdominable pain.  A CT scan revealed an enlarged and infected cecum.  The doctors talked to me about a possible surgical proceedure to remove the cecum which would result in a reroute of the bowel.  It didn’t sound good.  Because I had just returned from Africa, the doctors were willing to wait on surgery in the event this could be a bacterial infection.  I was put on IV antibiotics and admitted into the hospital.  I was to be given 24 hours for improvement before surgery.  An urgent prayer request went out over several intercessory prayer teams.  I found out later, people all over the world were praying for me, including many I didn’t know.  If you were one of those praying people, thank you so much.  You gave me a treasured gift. 

At the conclusion of the 24 hours, I pleaded with the doctors to give me more time.  I felt certain I would see improvement and avoid the knife.  The second night, in the midst of my pain, I cried out to God repeatedly.  I knew people across the oceans were interceding at the same time.  By the morning, I was better.  Later that day, I was able to go home. 

The next three weeks were filled with much pain and I had trouble sleeping.  On several nights, I sat in my favorite chair into the early morning hours and communed with my heavenly Father.  These were precious times.  God spoke to my heart over the hours each night.  There is something special about night time listening to the Lord.  I find I can hear the voice of my Father so much clearer when the noise and distractions are taken away.  The night was Jesus’ favorite time to be alone with His Father as well.  Luke 6:12 says, “Now in those days it occurred that He went up into a mountain to pray, and spent the whole night in prayer to God.”

The bacterial infection is still having residual effects that I am told will continue for weeks and months.  There are still occasional nights of pain.  But with those come nights of solitude with my Father. 

God has shown me some special and intimate moments in my night time prayers.  I’ve learned it’s a great time to listen to the still small voice of His Holy Spirit and commune in a special way with my Lord.