One simple word...Prayer

This past week was not one of my best because I had to search out an intestinal doctor to find out what was causing my severe heartburn. Nobody enjoys medical tests, and I found myself facing an endoscopy. But since I had one years ago, somehow I managed to keep a tiny grip on my nerves.

We had to be at the facility by 6:45 a.m. Every person in there looked sleepy, grumpy, and wanted to be back in their beds, sleeping. My name was called. I gave my dear husband a quick peck on the cheek and started to follow the nurse. This was the moment Nerves rose up in me as I whirled around and almost yelled back at my husband, "Please pray for me!" It was loud enough for every sleep-deprived person in the room to hear my desperate request, and it hit me this room had grown very silent. People looked at me and probably wondered, "How bad is it behind those doors because this woman really looks scared!"


What a tremendous impact one simple, yet powerful word has on people! Prayer. People seem to understand the meaning that word carries, and I had the feeling some strangers in that room might be saying a silent word of Prayer for me. I felt grateful. Things moved along, and, before I knew it, my turn had come for the procedure to begin. My nerves were all over the place! I had not met this doctor before because she'd been a referral given to me by my general MD. Over the years in dealing with Chronic Pain and trips to the hospital, it's very uncomfortable not already knowing the doctor who you are about to entrust your life to. My mind was racing as to how I would introduce myself to her, wanting so badly to somehow let her know "I am so frightened. Please take great care of me!" 


Little did I realize the Lord had already given me what I needed to say. After the doctor introduced herself to me, I didn't hesitate. "Are you a Praying woman?" She stopped cold and could easily hear the determined manner in which I asked my question. Without any hesitation, she said a firm "Yes" to my question, giving me great comfort. My eyes had locked onto her face, and I said, "Good! I need to say a word of Prayer for myself because I am very worried about this procedure." The attending medical people in the room had stopped everything and stood silent, probably wondering what was going to happen next. So I quickly said, "Please, Dear Lord, let this test go well, and the results be good."  


I turned to the Doctor and noticed her head was bowed in Prayer. I told her "Let's get this done!" The room now seemed so peaceful, and I knew there were Precious hands holding me up. The Lord knew my fears before I uttered them and gave me the word I needed that day. Before I knew it, the doctor was at my side, letting me know the test was over. Then she said the words I had longed to hear: "Martha, there was no sign of cancer. You have acid reflux really bad!" My head leaned against her shoulder, and all I could say was Thank You, Lord! My heart had been filled with deep fear of having cancer because my father had a history of it. And no matter how hard my dear husband tried to assure me all would be okay, I saw things in a bad light.

One Simple Word...Prayer...was all I needed to grab onto and to have trust in the words I prayed. I have leaned hard on Prayer all my life, and on this day, as my fears ran rampant, this amazing word, Prayer, began to remove all my fear. Something tells me I probably kept my Guardian Angels very busy that day, too.

We all need Prayer in our lives, no matter how the words are offered up. The Good Man Above is always listening!

God Bless each of you.