All things are subject to the will of God. When we pray, we do as Jesus did and say, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). At times it appears that God does not listen to our prayers—a spouse dies or someone is not released from constant pain or troubling difficulties. Others live, survive harrowing accidents, or find cures or relief. God has his plan for each of us even if at times we do not understand it. Even the death of his saints is precious in God’s sight (Psalm 116:15).

When God does grant healing, relief, and life, we thank him and are tempted to think that any other outcome is not an answer to prayer. But every prayer is answered for our good. When God grants life or health, he still has work for us to do here. When he doesn’t, he has determined our work here is finished even if that leaves sorrow and pain. He has a purpose for that too.

The Lord has encouraged us to pray and promises to hear our prayers. My story is a reminder of the importance of praying for others. At times some cannot pray for themselves and have to rely on others who can offer intercessory prayers. What a blessing to go to the Lord and pray for our loved ones and those in need. Many are the blessings from our heavenly Father as he answers such prayers in his own way.

A fall from a roof

I myself have had experience with prayers on my behalf. My case involved a near fatal fall from the roof of a two-story house. I was helping a friend shingle his house when I slipped on some wet shingles and fell about 18 feet to the ground. It was a warm day in August, a few miles east of Brookings, S.D.

While I lay on the ground, others called for emergency help. Within a short time an ambulance arrived and took me to the hospital in Brookings. The doctors checked me over and found severe internal bleeding. The cause of the bleeding turned out to be a ruptured diaphragm. That’s the membrane that separates the heart and lungs from the rest of the body’s organs. I was taken into surgery to stop the bleeding and to receive transfusions for the loss of blood.

The doctors almost lost me twice on the operating table due to shallow breathing and low blood pressure. The trauma of shock made their work difficult. Many drainage tubes were inserted into my body. Many pints of blood were used for transfusions. The X rays showed many broken bones. The fact that the Lord did not take me when I landed next to a pile of cast iron sewer pipes seemed to indicate that he still had a use for me here.