The Power of Prayer

On Saturday, the 11^th of October, 2015, our Surrey Firefighters’ Pipe Band performed twice and we were very pleased with our success.  The first was for the Raspberry Festival in Ft. Langley.  Later in the day, it was in the Sheraton Hotel in Vancouver, for the Retirement Banquet of Firefighters and for their guests.  We had some concern for the weather at our first engagement, because the forecast was for rain.  However, it didn’t rain, except between engagements, and we were thankful.

At our evening performance, while tuning up, Tricia, one of our excellent lady pipers announced that she was recently diagnosed as having a cancerous tumor on her lung.  It would soon be removed surgically.  She was informed that it wasn’t aggressive.  She would however, require post-surgical medical treatment.  We were considerably stunned by her announcement and assured Tricia that we understood her need for prayer.  We can’t be certain when she will resume her piping and we’ll miss her in the meantime.

We were reminded of Steve’s recent accident, in which he was riding his bicycle and crashed over a ledge.  He broke his neck in three places.  Fortunately, he was given immediate expert care and hopes to be playing his side drum again in approximately three months.  We will pray that he recovers completely, and will be able to carry his tenor drum as easily as before.

We need competent pipers and drummers, and are confronted with these sad occurrences.  We must pray that God will provide healing for Trish and Steve, as well as for some new, competent players.

I believe in the power of prayer and God’s response by answering with a miracle.  When Bert, a dear friend was diagnosed with lung cancer.  His friends prayed for his recovery, when he was dying in the hospital.  Miraculously, Bert recovered and soon after he retired, he went back to university, to earn a Master’s degree in Theology.  He became the senior pastor of a church in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.  I always remember him telling us about his amazing recovery.  He needed a drink of water to continue with his story.  He had been an inveterate smoker, but he certainly is not now. 

Having been a witness to Bert’s story about God’s healing, and to know that he is now striving to serve God, I have faith in the power of prayer, and will pray for healing for both Trish and Steve.  At the same time, I am praying that others who read this blog will be convinced to pray too, for Trish and Steve and also for themselves.  One should also remember to thank God for His loving care and not forget that in everything we do, we should do it as for God, and not for man.