God Healed an 87 Year Old Unbeliever

The past few months have been extremely difficult for me, and I have had to exercise a new level of faith that I never thought I'd be able to experience.

I say 'experience' because I appreciate that faith is a gift. I have not as yet seen the fruit of my faith, but I have been encouraged continually by beautiful moments where God has spoken to me directly and indirectly. One example of this is through an aquaintance I got speaking to one night whilst at a Media event, who had rather unbelievably been in almost the same position as me just months before. She was not a Christian, but from the moment she opened her mouth, I was amazed by her faith in God. Throughout my ordeal, I haven't found a single Christian to believe with me the way she has.

Last Monday she let me know that her 87 year old grandad who she adores was in hospital with heart problems - his heart has only been 25% strong for a long time, and in fact the doctors had written him off two years ago. But my friend had believed and stuck by his side unwiltingly throughout and he'd gotten stronger and been living well. Suddenly he'd had to go back into hospital. Even though he'd been admitted for his heart, presumably after a knock to his head, he'd begun to have a brain bleed. The only solution would be a high risk operation which didn't offer much hope of success or full recovery - retaining his sharp mind and memory.

My friend was so upset because even though she understood that her grandad was old, he had such a passion for life and his mind was still so sharp. When we spoke on the phone, I had just finished listening to a sermon on the woman with the issue of blood and the ressurrection of Jairus' 12 year old daughter. With this in mind, I worked up the courage to tell her 'do not fear; only believe' Maark 5;36. I knew it meant everything to her to have me believe.

I continually prayed throughout the week, having my eyes set on her grandad's recovery and the salvation of my friend and her entire family through this miracle. I received intercessory prayer for her grandad during prayer meeting on the Tuesday, then presented his case to God at the amazing communion service on the Wednesday where I knew the work had been finished. I encouraged my friend daily, and on the Friday she text me to tell me he was going in for the operation. I prayed throughout, listening to that sermon on the healing of the woman with the issue of blood again. I also wrote out my prayer so that I could hand it to my firiend after the operation and healing as a sign that it is Jesus Christ who heals! Just under two hours later, my friend text me to tell me that her grandad had not only come through the operation, but he'd come through smiling and fully aware of who she was. I praised God and so did she. She also listened to the sermon and read the prayer I'd written. I am so certain that she will put her faith in Christ Jesus as a consequence. God works signs and miracles so that unbelievers will put their trust in Him!

Whenever I think of her, I think of the Athenians Paul ministered to, revealing to them the identity of 'the unknown god' they worshipped. It's been a privilege to stand with her at this time, and she has been blessed beyond measure by my labour of love.

It took a lot of my emotional and spiritual energy to dare to believe God for this miracle and to encourage someone else to as well, but God rewarded me for my selfless faith. Whilst all the while walking through my own valley of the shadow of death, I took this miracle as a sign that God would answer my prayer and turn my situation around too. I am still holding on to this promise even though things seem to be getting darker and darker. But I am happy to say that I can't comprehend how God would heal an 87 year old unbeliever and not heal His own beloved daughter. It is with this faith that I look to Him in expectation. I KNOW He will work wonders for me.

Amen! Praise The Lord!