Pray and God Will Answer

By Jamie E. Hill

“But those who hope
in the LORD will renew
their strength. They
will soar on wings
like eagles; they will
run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not
be faint."
Isaiah 40:31

had prayed faithfully for two years, “Lord, please use me anyway you can to get to my husband. He needs you so terribly bad. He is a wonderful father and husband, but he is lost without you.” I’d started praying that prayer after reading, What Happens When Women Pray and What Happens When God Answers by Evelyn Christenson.

The book made me realize that I needed to give Brad to God. I had worried about him for so long, but worrying wasn’t doing either one of us a bit of good. I had to give it to the Lord. I did my part, I prayed, wondering if God would do His part, as well.

I commuted to work about 30 minutes every day. It wasn’t a long drive, but traffic was terrible. On one particular day it was extremely foggy along with the usual traffic congestion. As I was headed in the northbound lane, a car in the southbound lane was rear-ended. The car was shoved into my lane and crashed into my car. I can vividly remember the sound of the crash and crunching of my car. I can still smell the stinging dust of the airbag that had exploded in my face.

I blacked out for a moment. After coming to and getting my wits about me, I tried to climb out of the car. I had to crawl out the passenger side to escape. Several thoughts raced through my mind all at once, “I need to call my husband” and, “Oh great, and I will be late for work.” Then tremendous pain engulfed me. I felt a warm rush of fluid in my left side.

I became light-headed and had to sit down. I couldn’t imagine what could be happening. Ambulances soon arrived, paramedics checked my vitals. My blood pressure was steadily dropping and I was in critical condition. My husband made it to the scene just as they were placing me into the ambulance. The look of fear on his face told me things were not good.

A doctor told my husband that I had internal bleeding and needed surgery immediately. I was soon flown via helicopter to the closest trauma hospital. During the flight, coming in and out of consciousness, I could hear, in my mind, my sweet four-year old son singing Amazing Grace to me.

I felt as though I would die without ever seeing my family again. I argued with God, No, I can’t go yet! Zak hasn’t started kindergarten, Sarah hasn’t taken her first steps, and my husband Brad still doesn’t know you as Savior. Please Lord, not yet, I pleaded.

As soon as I arrived at the trauma center I was immediately rushed into surgery. Later, I awoke hooked to several machines. I was so scared. Then I saw Brad’s loving face. I could see the concern in his eyes and his love for me. He showed strength when I was weak. Brad lived in the ICU waiting room for a week. He spent his days waiting until visiting time came when he could spend just a few minutes with me.

He never showed emotion, just strength every time I saw him. I would cry and ask about our children. He would console me and tell me they were fine. I wouldn’t have been able to handle it if he was distraught. He told me later that during the times he had to wait to see me is when he would cry.

He would try to get it all out before seeing me. He didn’t want me to see him upset. He encouraged me to get well, and didn’t leave the hospital until I could. When we arrived home he took care of me until I was better. I was emotionally troubled, too scared to even ride in a car.

One day reading my Bible a verse stood out at me. Psalm 56:3-4 reads, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” I could see that even though this was a test of my faith in God, He was also working in Brad’s life as well.

Before the accident, Brad refused to attend church service with me. He was angry at God. He’d even go so far as to say he didn’t believe in God. It would break my heart, but all I could do was pray. But soon after returning home, he started questioning me about going to church. As soon as I was able, we were there. I could see God working. Brad was more receptive to the Word. God was drawing him near.

Two months after that tragic day, we were attending revival services at my church. I could feel Brad struggling. The invitation was sung, he didn’t move. I was heart broken. I just knew this was it. On our way out, he stopped me. “Can you ride home with Mom? I need to talk to the pastor.”

“Sure,” I said, my heart pounding.

As my mother-in-law dropped me and the kids off at home, we committed to pray. I fell to my knees as I entered my house. “Oh Lord, please let this be the night that Brad surrenders his heart to You.” When Brad came home I could see the change in his face. “Praise God!” I said. We hugged for what seemed like forever, crying and telling each other, ”I love you.”

My husband has made an amazing turn around. God uses bad situation for good. Someone once asked me “Would you go through it all again?” Yes I would. Praise God!