Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Sept/63

Contributor - Henry E. Franken

Title - It Still Happens

Topic - Prayer

There is a strange feeling among many, that what happened centuries ago cannot or at least does not happen any more. In spite of the teaching of the Bible that God does not change, we tend to doubt the effectiveness of prayer and faith. At the same time there are those who have had an experience that God is the same now as He was then.

Through the ages God has revealed Himself in various ways. These are dreams, visions, prophets, angels, etc., but in the last days He has spoken through His Son. Therefore God ought to be nearer to us, rather than farther away. From God's side He has come nearer, not only by His Son but also by the Holy Spirit who has the mission of leading us into all truth.

We are at the receiving end of what God has in store for us. All the sending does no good if it isn't received. You may telephone someone but will not get the message across if the one at the other end does not pick no the receiver. All the television broadcasting does no good if you do not turn on the switch of your T.V. All the preaching is useless if there is no hearing.

This article is about faith and prayer. These are the contact points. You have not because you pray not in faith. God must be willing to do what you desire and you must desire what God is willing to do.

"Is any sick among you ? let him call for the elder" . of the church; and let them pray over him anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:14,15.) That was said centuries ago.

A year ago while youth camp was in session all the minsters of our churches in the area were away on an island with the youth. A logger in the hills along the river some hundred miles distant was hit by rolling- boulders and dirt, causing him to roll along with the slide into the river a hundred feet below. It took four hours to get his broken body into an ambulance to the hospital. The physicians worked over him, for hours to put everything internally and externally into place again so the process of healing could set in. The elders of the church were called who offered prayers over him; his wife, a registered nurse, was immediately brought to his side; his mother was called in the Netherlands, who came immediately. It was quite evident that the worst was expected. He hovered between life and death.

On Sunday the minister announced to the congregation what had happened. Besides this the family had recently had other very serious visitations due to illness and accidents. Prayers were prayed publicly and privately, in all seriousness The hearts of men were deeply moved.

A day or two later the minister visited the patient who was in every kind of traction, with "black and blue" face and arms showing. His faithful wife was constantly at his side. Among other things the minister said "We prayed at the church especially for you yesterday at the morning service". The wife looked surprised and immediately said, "That is just the time that a turn for the good took place". They all smiled with an expression of thankfulness. They thanked the Lord for hearing and answering prayer. The patient then remarked, "God was with me all the time".

Several days later the minister again went to the hospital to visit the patient, but he was gone. go the minister asked the nurses about him. Their answer was, "We have never seen anything like it. He was so well that he was transferred to a hospital nearer home".

A Bible incident comes to mind: i.e. the centurion who had a servant at the point of death. He called for Jesus believing He could and would come to the rescue. Jesus did. Jesus said to him, "Go thy way; and as thou hast believed so be it done unto thee." And his servant was healed in the self same hour.

God hears and answers prayer, in our day too.

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