Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
His nightmares began each day when he awoke. James Stegalls was nineteen. He was in Vietnam. Though he carried a small Gideon New Testament in his shirt pocket, he couldn’t bring himself to read it. His buddies were cut down around him, terror was building within him, and God seemed far away. His twentieth birthday passed, then his twenty-first. At last, he felt he couldn’t go on.
On February 26, 1968, he prayed for it all to end, and his heart told him he would die before dusk. Sure enough, his base came under attack that day and Jim heard a rocket coming straight toward him. Three seconds to live, he told himself, then two, then…
A friend shoved him into a grease pit, and he waited for the rocket to explode, but there was only surreal silence. The fuse malfunctioned.
For five hours James knelt in that pit, and finally his quivering hand reached into his shirt pocket and took out his Testament. Beginning with Matthew, he continued through the first 18 chapters.
“When I read Matthew 18:19-20,” he said, “I somehow knew things would be alright.”
Long after Jim returned home, as he visited his wife’s grandmother, Mrs. Harris, she told him a night years before when she had awakened in terror. Knowing Jim was in Vietnam, she had sensed he was in trouble. She began praying for God to spare his life. Unable to kneel because of arthritis, she lay prone on the floor, praying and reading her Bible all night.
Just before dawn she read Matthew 18:19-20. Then she immediately called her Sunday school teacher, who got out of bed and went to Mrs. Harris’ house where together they claimed the Lord’s promise as they prayed for Jim until reassured by God’s peace.
Having told Jim the story, Mrs. Harris opened her Bible to show him where she had marked the passage. In the margin were the words — “Jim, February 26, 1968.”
I don’t think we are nearly aware enough of how crucial our prayers are for the lost and hurting. Sometimes we don’t get to see the fruit, but God hears and answers our prayers! Don’t be discouraged today — keep lifting your voice in intercession and expect great things! There’s so much work to be done!!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Rivka and Elianna Whitten
Negev, Israel
Found my way here while surfing blogs, and thought I’d stop and say hello. You’ve got a nice blog and I’ll be back to read again.
Shivers all through me. I have heard that story before, but it is still just as powerful. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
Great site yoiu have here. Thanks for dropping by my blog. From the looks of your siderbar – you are one busy woman!
Several years ago a classmate of one of my kids was dying of cancer. He was in the hospital. One night about 2AM the Lord woke me up and instructed me to pray for this boy even though I did not personally know him. I got up and went out in the living room where I knelt beside the couch and prayed until I felt peace. A few days later I learned that at the precise time I had stopped praying, a Pastor had walked into Chad’s room and led him to the Lord. Chad passed away less than 15 minutes later.
…i like yr blog 😉
Kathie, it seems the more I pay attention the more Godincidences I run across in life. But the story you posted here is one of God’s miracles that brings a deep sigh and a profound reverance, you know?