Reaching that Anticipated Moment—When a Prayer Gets Answered
By T. L. Wiens
My brother, my sister and I were scheduled to provide special music for the church service that Sunday. I can’t explain it, but there was an excitement as we practiced. We’d decided to sing “Nearer My God to Thee.” It wasn’t very often that we chose hymns but on this occasion it felt like the only song in the world that we could sing.
I remember being nervous. I sing harmony so I’m not center stage or anything. My nerves usually don’t bother me but there was an electricity in the air on this morning.
We hadn’t sung very long when I noticed a man sitting in the back rise. My heart went to my throat—was he leaving? The whole congregation had prayed for this man for many years. I guess in a way, it had become a ritual to pray for him. He had tears streaming down his face as he stumbled to the steps that lead to the stage. He collapsed there and wept. Someone got up and went to him. We kept singing.
Then I heard the hallelujah. When the man we prayed for raised his head, I knew—I had a new brother in the Lord.
Did I ever hope to live to see this moment? No. I want to say my faith didn’t waver and I stayed the course but I didn’t. I’m not sure very many in church that day would be able to make any different claims. I am so thankful that God stayed the course.
“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3 KJV).
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Tammy Wiens
Tammy lives in Saskatchewan with her husband. They have four children. She enjoys gardening, walks along the beach and being on the farm. She has a passion for her faith, studying the Bible and prayer.
She has published two books; Where a Little Rain Comes Down and Making the Bitter Sweet. A short story, “Vi’s First Christmas” will appear in Christmas Chaos coming out in October of 2010. Visit her website.
