“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds, we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
In 2014, during a mission trip in Brazil, I encountered a few moments that forever changed my life. One of them was during one of our services — a woman, half of her body paralyzed from a stroke, with her left hand crooked, approached me seeking prayer for healing. Despite my earnest prayers, the first and second attempts revealed no change. Her condition remained unchanged, fueling my growing sense of discouragement. Yet, her desperation and unwavering faith compelled her to ask for another prayer. I prayed for her the third time, but still nothing happened. My heart weighed heavy with disappointment, but this lady did not give up; she cried out to God more and asked me to try one more time.
It was her unyielding spirit that stirred my faith; I silently pleaded with God for her case. As I prayed for the fourth time, something miraculous occurred. Before my very eyes, her previously crooked hand straightened instantaneously. The sight was so astounding that I stumbled backward in shock. There I was, witnessing the impossible become possible; her paralysis was reversed, and her hand restored. This profound experience not only solidified my faith but also showcased the boundless possibilities when we don’t give up and keep trusting God.
Anh Powers