“It is destined that men die only once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27)
Vera had cancer! It was cancer of the liver and she didn’t have long to live. My first thought was,
“I don’t think she has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Will she go to heaven when she dies?”
I felt compelled to tell her how she could have eternal life with God. But how would I do this?
Her husband was always at home and he was not a friendly man. In fact he had just asked his fifteen-year-old daughter to leave home. I could just imagine the conflict Vera was experiencing; loyalty to her husband on one hand, but protective love for her daughter on the other. And now added to that, cancer.
A group of ladies from my church met weekly for prayer. I asked them to pray that I would be able to tell Vera how to know God personally. They promised they would and I finally gathered up enough courage to visit her.
I took some home baking to her. Vera was still able to read and knit, so we talked about books and needlework. They were a Danish family and had books of Denmark on their coffee table with pictures of buildings and beautiful architecture. I told them my mother had died and I believed she was in heaven helping Christ prepare our mansions that are going to be even more beautiful than the Danish buildings.
The next time I went to see her I brought more baked goodies, but this time I also gave her some books which explained how she could have a personal relationship with God. I noticed that her health was declining very quickly.
One night shortly after, I awoke with a great compulsion to pray for her. I got out of the bed, knelt and prayed for her salvation for a long time. I knew I had to go see her the next day.
The next morning I phoned a neighbor and asked how Vera was doing. She told me she was in the hospital - and doing very poorly. I went to see her that afternoon.
She was alone when I came into her room. She was very weak, but she recognized me. I read Psalm 23 to her and asked her about her relationship with God. I asked if she was ready to meet Him. Then she told me about an amazing experience she had the night before - the night God awoke me to pray. She said the devil and God had been in her room, vying for her soul.
“Who won?” I asked.
“God did,” she replied with a smile.
I prayed for her and left. I thanked God for answering our prayers.
We tried to help the family. The youngest daughter came over and my teenage daughter baked cookies with her and played on the trampoline with her. After a few months, they moved to another city and we never saw them again.
I learned again that prayer is so important. Prayer is powerful. When God impresses us to pray for someone, we must be obedient. It can be a matter of life or death...for all eternity.
Father, You are not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Cause us to be alert to pray for the unbelievers in our world and ready to share how they can know You personally. Amen.
Prayer changes things. Any time of day and night, God answers prayer.
Do you know that you will be in heaven with Jesus when you die?
Are you are serious about following Jesus?
If you are you can say this prayer now and He will come into your life, forgive your sins and direct your life.
Giving your life to Jesus is an act of faith that you can express through prayer.
Praying is simply talking to God. He knows you . What matters is the attitude of your heart, your honesty. We suggest you pray the following prayer:
"Lord Jesus, I thank you for your love and that you came into the world to die for me. I confess that I have directed my own life and that I have therefore sinned against God. I now want to put my trust in you and receive you in my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins. Make me the person you want me to be. I thank you that you answered my prayer and that you are now in my life. Amen."
Is it the desire of your heart to make this prayer yours?
If yes, pray now and according to his promise, Jesus Christ will come into your life.
Home :: Nuggets of Wisdom :: the story of Vera 
