In the Great House of God there is a furnace.  This furnace affects the whole house, and your prayers fuel the furnace.  Your intercession is coal on the fire.  Your pleadings are kindling to the flames.  The furnace is sturdy, the  vents are ready, all that is needed is your prayer.

THE GREAT HOUSE OF GOD *  MAX LUCADO

I have been asked to ponder this question on more than just one occasion:  "what would happen if you gave up praying the very day before God had chosen to answer your prayer?"  Well, in at least one case I can answer that very likely my Dad would NOT be getting baptized this Sunday, three days after turning 63 years old, almost three years after being diagnosed with terminal lung and brain cancer, and coming to a sving knowledge of Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour.

How can I make such a bold statement?  Because I know my Mom faithfully prayed for that stubborn man for longer than I thought was necessary, or useful, or even sane.  She held hope long after I was done talking about it with her; holding on to this unseen cord of hope and belief that God truly hasn't become deaf so that He cannot hear.

My oldest went once to their home (at the time it was just down the road) when he was about nine years old, armed with the gospel.  He had had a horrible time sleeping the night before and announced at the breakfast table that he believed God wanted him to make an appointment with Granddad to discuss his lack of relationship with God.  He had all the Scriptures he felt the Lord had laid on his heart to share and was shaking in his little boots with nervous excitement.  So, with a quick phone call to my parent's place, off he went, giving my Dad exactly "three days to decide" if he would be for Jesus or against Him.  My Dad took a few years longer than three days, but he did phone to let Jonam know that he was carrying an awfully big burden that my Dad was releasing him from.  He thanked Jonam for being big enough to face my Dad, and let him know that he would "definitely think about it".

The power of prayer, in action.

So, on Sunday morning, at Dad's baptism (did I tell you how much he hates water?) with my brother and his family, my husband and boys, bestsister and her husband and kids, I have the privilege of witnessing another testimony to both the realness and the greatness of my God ... and this is what Jonathan, Cheryl and I will sing over the whole congregation ...

Darlene Zschech - I Will Never Be


I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk apart, I'll run the race
And I will never be the same again.

I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk apart, I'll run the race
And I will never be the same again.

Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep away the darkness, burn away the chaff,
And let a flame burn to glorify Your name.

There are higher heights, there are deeper seas,
Whatever you need to do, Lord do in me.
The Glory of God fills my life,
And I will never be the same again.

Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep aways the darkness, burn away the chaff
And let a flame burn to glorify Your name.

Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep away the darkness, burn away the chaff,
And let a flame burn to glorify Your name.

I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk the path, I will run the race
And I will never be the same again.
And I will never be the same again.
And I will never be the same again.

Posted by halfpint

That is really great. Jonathan and Cheryl eh? Haven't seen them for awhile. I bumped into her at a homeschool conference a couple of years back. So glad you also have friends to join in the celebration as well. I remember a few years back when my mom and dad got baptized. It was unbelievable. I didn't pray for them as diligently as I should have. I remember sharing the gospel with them (and shaking in my boots also) kudos to Jonam!

Posted by bestsister

I literally had to leave the computer, regain my composure and come back to leave a comment once I stopped crying. Hard to type when you can't see the keys.

waiting with great expectation to hear my family sing together again. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Your daddy being baptised is the gravy. (or is that bacon drippings with toast?) I'm SO excited for him. The Lord is much too good.

Posted by Joy

And because non of us will ever be the same again after being touched by such an awesome Father we can share in the joy of such a story. Excuse me while I go cry like a baby and dig out my old prayer list.

Posted by bestsister

part of what got me crying in the first place was the lyric "I will walk apart"....does it really say that? I always thought it was "I will walk the path". But if you actually sing "walk apart" I think I will spend most of Sunday undone.

Posted by Mummo aka Kristina's mom

Ah, ammm, eh, hooo, okay, I'm actually speechless for once. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Wow!!! Come Sunday, Come. *O/* XXX C U Sunday (Waterproof mascara everyone !) :-)

Posted by JenIG

that is *awesome*. so truly awesome. and i thank you for your words about prayer. i have been struggling in this area and i feel like everywhere i turn God is reminding me that we are told to pray... and so we are to do it, *especially* when we feel like it's hopeless. i hate it when you already know something but then you cease to realize it. so thanks, my friend.

PS when are you going to get here? i've been making curry every single day in heightened expecatation...

Posted by partyoffive

I can't remember if Mike blogged about his dad not being a believer and how Caleb has such a burden for him, and prays for him every night. His dad lives in Montana, and has only met Caleb once, but Caleb can't wait to see him again and talk with him about Jesus. This was so wonderully encouraging....and I love this song. It was one we sang back in WA....thanks for posting the words to this great song, and for the trip down memory lane...

Edited by partyoffive on Nov. 3, 2007 at 12:54 PM

Posted by JenIG

just wanted to come by and say that i hope things went well. i was praying for you and your dad last night.
:)