Claiming His Promises
Jan 13, 2019 | by Nancy Newbrough
Four years ago, I began working for a Christian family as a caregiver for the wife who had suffered a major stroke and woke up after being in a coma for two months. But even after rehabilitation, she was bedridden, unable to speak and mostly helpless. I was employed to help her with basic needs and as a companion.
Her husband is retired and in the beginning, he did not trust in me at all. But I am so thankful that through God’s grace, when he got to know me -- we became friends.
From day one, I have prayed aloud over this precious lady, frequently asking for God’s help throughout the day. He did not seem to like that and always interrupted us. This was frustrating for me because I pray frequently. So I asked God to provide more opportunities to be alone with her. That is when the husband decided to play golf twice a week and this provided more prayer times with his wife.
After starting a Bible study on Revelation, I began sharing with them some of what I was learning. But my employer always refuted what I said. That made me start interceding for them even more!
One day I asked him if he knew what an antagonist is. He replied, “Do you think I am an antagonist?” and I said yes! I could not understand why he was always so negative. Going to work was not always pleasant. I asked God for direction about continuing to work there, but did not receive an immediate answer.
One day the husband opened up to me and shared about their son on drugs who was living in his car after dropping out of college. The father was very upset and finally decided to allow their son to live at home and work. However, the son would never get up on time and was always late to work. He got fired and continued the drugs.
The father found a great rehab facility for his son, but that only lasted two weeks before the young man walked out. That was the first of many rehab facilities, some of them Christian, but the son would never engage in his recovery and sometimes ended up in emergency rooms after trying suicide.
This went on for three years. One day I told my employer that he was destroying his son by enabling him to have a lifestyle where everything was provided without any need to work and support himself. My advice was for them to put their son in God’s hands and stop enabling his irresponsibility and addiction.
One day we were praying and reading the Bible in Acts 16:31 where it says, Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household. I asked the lady if she believed that promise from God, and she indicated no. When I asked her husband the same question, he said no because it was not working that way in their family.
So when I prayed aloud with them for their son, my words were: “My Lord, I believe You and I know that Your Word is true. These parents do not believe that their son will be saved, but I do. I claim this promise for him!”
Things went from bad to worse. After living in several different places, the son ended up in jail for making “wrong decisions.” I begged my employer to leave him in jail because it is a safe place for someone doing drugs and could be a time to rehabilitate. His response was that God told him to pay the bond.
Very soon after, the son attempted suicide again. His dad tried to place him in a mental hospital, but the son did not meet the criteria. So his dad began looking for a rehabilitation facility far away. He finally found one that insurance would accept in Las Vegas and made all the arrangements. He acted like that was the last thing he would do for his son. I continued to claim Acts 16:31.
Three weeks ago, the wife had a mini-stroke and was hospitalized for two days. During that time, the husband received a call from a lady from California who wanted to let him know that their son was living with her family. Her daughter had been in the same rehab in Las Vegas and became his girlfriend. When her mom drove to Las Vegas to pick the daughter up, she took him home, too. Her report was that their son was doing well and looking for a job!
I was so happy to hear that this young man is beating his addiction and starting a new life! Though I do not know all the details, all I need to know is that our Father honors our belief in His Word and answers our prayers when we claim His promises. I anticipate the day when I hear of their son’s salvation! God’s Word is true!
A Prayer Warrior
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and
godliness through our knowledge of him who called us
by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given
us his very great and precious promises, so that through
them you may participate in the divine nature and escape
the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2 Peter 1:3-4