“Never Alone” with God and Prayer

We can all learn from the story of others. Not only does it show us that we aren’t alone in our story but it also shows us how to recognize God in them. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 it says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift-up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” This means that regardless of the circumstance, whether it’s an illness or brought on by someone else or even ourselves, it is never good to be alone. Too many withdraw in times of pain. Believing that they don’t want to burden others or no one really care but truth is that everyone needs someone to support and love them. Do not isolate, do not withdraw, God is providing that someone or two for you. And you just never know how you allowing someone to walk with you, just may be a huge blessing for them.

My friend, John, found that out. He knew that he could not go through his story alone, so he prayed and God provided. Never underestimate the power of your prayers. Hear John’s story and see how God works.

“I can’t go through this alone” was the thought that overwhelmed my mind as I left the doctor’s office. The doctor had just confirmed that I had ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, a motor neuron disease that slowly erodes the nervous system, and all power and control would evaporate from the limbs of my body, leaving my mind and the spirit intact trapped in my body and death would soon follow.

When I arrived home, I was met by a crowd of people that had gathered to be with me at my home to show their support for me in this. The days followed with supporting phone calls and visits. Cards and gifts of prayer were received confirming many were with me on this journey through prayer and support.

A friend called to invite me to a special prayer service in a nearby town. I was surrounded by many. When they, along with the minister, touched me and prayed. I was enveloped in an overpowering warm sense of love and support, that I still can feel to this day.

The doctor had planned for me to go to a clinic in Minnesota that was researching such diseases, and I was expected to be there a week being run through a barrage of tests. My wife would accompany me. People gave us airline miles, money, and kept our children to make it possible for us to go. Upon hearing this, my church that I attended decided to call a church fast, with many others joining, a time of prayer and support before the lord, while I was at the clinic.

Upon my return other doctor visits and the continuing awareness of prayers of support were with me. My wife and I continued to receive meals and demonstrations of love in the days that followed.

Here I am today twenty-six years later, I am blessed and grateful for God’s healing provision and to be still alive today after being told that I was not to live much longer, I continue to live in gratitude for the support and warmth of the prayers of God’s people. I have no sign of ALS in my body today. I still have a residual weakness in my left arm from nerve damage, but even in that I am reminded with gratitude of the blessings of God and His people. It is a testimony that God heard the first fear, the first unspoken prayer in being unable to go forward through this disease alone. From the first moment in going home to a houseful of people, to have phone calls, notes, and prayers, from the concerned friend that took me to a service that he knew would be foreign to me and to be met there with so much love and prayers and concern; to the days that followed that people that I didn’t know were calling and writing and sending signs of prayers that I was being prayed for. To those that shared their airline miles to provide me the way to get to Minnesota to see the specialist there. The amazing blessing and the amazing prayer that was answered at that time was I am not alone, God is with me, but God’s people are also with me. They prayed for me before I knew them. They prayed for me after, and they had prayed for me in my crisis and even those relationships that started and were tempered by fire still walk with me and pray with me today. The continuing blessing was the answer to my prayer, to not be alone, and in addition to that, he healed me too. By John Bryant

Thank you to John for being willing to share his story.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing: Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God: Matthew 18:19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven: 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

Our prayers may not always be answered like we want but you can be assured that God hears and He answers in the way that is best for us, even if we don’t understand. Trust in Him!

I would be honored to walk through this process with you.

Rhonda Gould, is an ACC Certified life coach through the ICF. She specializes in helping others reveal patterns that are holding them back. She believes that every client has the ability within themselves to break the patterns and promote forward movement into career opportunities, new relationships, fun adventures and so much more. Rhonda consults with clients centered around having healthy boundaries and dealing with difficult people and hard conversations. You can learn more about Rhonda’s work at https://rhondagouldonline.com/. Initial coaching session is FREE!