Cancer Journey: The Unexpected Journey!
Opening Video: Unexpected Journey - Cancer to a Higher Calling
Thesis: In this life we will encounter unexpected journeys! In these twists and turns of the journey of life the Lord is there to guide us on these paths, to comfort us, give us peace and provide for us as well. We just need to stay focused on him in the valley.
Introduction:
Thought: We would never have chosen stormy paths in life, but we end up on them and they can be long journey’s through the shadows – the trail of pain and suffering is not a fun trail to hike. But even on these paths we discover Jesus is with us -right there beside us – It’s important to remember that with His presence, comes the benefits of His ultimate wisdom, strength, healing, comfort and direction. He promises to guide us in Scripture, to be with us through the valley of shadows – in the shadows of these valleys are pain, sickness, suffering, grief, anxiety, stress and many other things associated with a fallen world. In those valleys lurking in the shadows are things like, death, cancer, rape, fear, depression, anxiety, sickness, trauma, crisis, accidents, trials, abuse, financial disasters, pandemics, crime, and yes, even demons seeking to destroy you and your faith.
Quote: John Ortberg stated, “The central promise in the Bible is not ‘I will forgive you.’ The most frequent promise is ‘I will be with you.’” (God Is Closer Than You Think, page 15).
Pause and think about that for a moment!
Jesus said in Matthew 28:20: “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Scripture Says:
Hebrews 13:5, NIV “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Psalm 48:14, NIV “For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. (Amen)
The promise of the Lord being with us was made to Adam and Eve, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Samuel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Amos, Mary, Paul, Peter, John and a host of others from the beginning of time until the climax of His return! This promise goes on and on – it was and is verbalized by God to the one’s He loves!
This promise was given to me in my crisis moment, I heard the Lord say He would be with me through my unexpected journey and I would come out the other end. To me this promise was encouraging and empowering.
Here is how my unexpected journey through the shadows started:
I urinated a blood out on Thursday April 7, 2022 – I called my urologist Dr. H. who set me up to immediately see his nurse practitioner Ewa B on Monday April 11. She took urine samples, did a blood test and other tests. She was certain after the tests that I had cancer of the bladder or prostrate – she prescribed steroids for my inflamed prostrate and gave orders for a Ct Urogram scan. She also set me up for Wednesday April 13th for a scan of my bladder with Dr. H. which he did with a scope and he saw the tumor on my bladder. He was sure it was cancer stage 3 – not a good stage in the bladder by the way – it looked as if it had been there a while he said. I had just seen him 4 months prior. “Who would have known.” Surgery was scheduled for Monday April 18th. I had the emergency surgery, and he removed the tumor from the outer layer of the bladder and did a biopsy and sent it off to pathology. He also treated the site with chemo. He said surgery went well but he most likely would have to go back in. His notes said I had a lot of bleeding, and it was extremely hard to get to the tumor because of the location. My daughter Tiffany reviewed his notes through Palos Health.
My Ct scan was delayed by insurance – due to the scan having to be in a free standing building – I know - I was like what?
The girls Tiffany and Christa flew in to be with me for surgery on Monday April 18th – that was real special and very encouraging – My daughter Tiffany who is a nurse practitioner and runs Northern Lights Medical company with two other partners has been keeping track of my chart for me – seeking information. Christa, Ashley, Vernon and Isa have been here to support me. Kathy is amazing as always – I know she was very worried – Life has delivered us an unexpected journey with a few twists and turns lately, but I know the Lord is with us.
I preached Easter service the day before my surgery – I felt God’s presence and peace – we had a nice crowd and the church prayed for me at the end of service. I preached on Jesus the Messiah and focused on Jesus’ question to the disciples “Who do you say I am?”
I have pondered that question a lot through my journey! Have you ever pondered that question “Who do you say Jesus is?”
I said, “Jesus is my healer and my strength through this unexpected journey!” “He is with me!”
I made a promise to the Lord on the day of my cancer diagnosis that I would stay faithful to Him no matter what happens! I would affirm each day that “I loved Him and trusted Him.”
Pastor Tiffany my children’s pastor set up food for us for two weeks it filled up immediately – people were asking what else they could do. I was blown away by the churches outpouring of love and support. You have all been so amazing! Thank You!
But still felt disappointed in what I had to cancel because of the cancer:
I had to cancel my trip to the Fellowship Network – At the Creation Museum and The Ark with bunch of pastor’s.
I had to cancel my trip to San Diego for the FCA Convention – both Kathy and I were deeply disappointed in having to do this.
These Pastoral Trip always encouraged me and refreshed me in ministry! But – I discovered from missing them how much I was loved and appreciated by my pastor friends - I discovered I was on many prayer chains in churches and from 1,000 of individuals. Many other Christian organizations were praying for me! Wow who knew?
I have received many phone calls and texts from other pastors and through Facebook messages mostly from FCA Pastors and Fellowship Network Pastor’s and friends. 99% were very encouraging but I got a few texts messages that were like hurtful: These texts basically said I needed to repent of the diagnosis of Cancer – I was in sin admitting I had a cancer tumor – I guess I was to lie about it – then they told me that bladder cancer came from sin and named sins I needed to examine and repent of - I was like really are you kidding me! I know these individuals mean well and they thought they were trying to help me come up with the magical A-bra- Ca- Da-bra solution so God would heal me!
Know this - I know my Bible and I know the power for healing comes from Jesus and The Holy Spirit – I believe in healing, I have seen supernatural healings in our church, but I have also buried great godly people who had cancer, or covid, some of these were even very good close pastor and Christian friends. I know God is able to heal – He is the healer – healing is by His grace - but for some to put my healing into my own hands was contrary to what I read in the Bible. I felt it was placing faith in my own faith – not faith in Jesus - that kind of thinking I wrestled with – “Was my healing all up to me and my level of faith?” – The answer was “No” - to me this was upsetting and very frustrating for me. My other struggle was with people thinking my healing depended on me admitting I was in sin! I came to this conclusion: Jesus is the healer and healing is rooted in His grace and mercy – not in their view of what I am suppose to repent of – I did examine my life don’t get me wrong! I needed to stay focused on Jesus and trust Him!
The premise of some of their thoughts were rooted in two thoughts: 1. Don’t admit you have cancer! 2. Repent of sin! If you do these two things, then God would heal me. They wanted to give me the magical formula so my prayer for healing worked. But I felt God say, “I will be with you in the journey, and you will come out the other end!” My promise came the day I knew I had cancer and I latched on to His promise!
T.S.- Throughout my unexpected journey through the shadow of cancer, I received 4 different experiences with doves in critical moments of the journey. I know each one was from the Lord to encourage me and say, “I am here, Mike.”
I. My unexpected journey through the valley of shadows and the 1st Dove:
a. Back to Wednesday April 13th – I left after the scope with Dr. H. who saw my tumor – He was in shock and upset – I was in shock and like a deer in headlights – I walked out of the office to my truck into a severe storm – I drove home in the raging storm – When I got home, I went and sat down in my chair in front of our big bay window. I was looking at the raging storm, the trees were blowing, rain was pounding, thunder was clapping as I sat there looking out the window – I started talking to the Lord in that moment. As I was praying, I closed my eyes and when I opened my eyes – there was a dove looking at me in the midst of this severe storm through my window!
i. By the way, this was not the first time the Lord had sent a dove to encourage me in my life!
1. When I had first returned to CHC about 13 1/2 years ago – I had discovered how this church was tearing itself apart and I could identify 4 different groups all fighting with each other over money, lies, hurts, church structure, worship and many other things.
a. My first Annual meeting was a nightmare and one person after the meeting said this is the best meeting we have had in years. I was like really!
2. So, I decided to prayer, I started praying in the sanctuary by myself for hours and wrestling through the demonic powers seeking to rip this church apart. I walked out to the foyer and looked out the doors of the front of the church and there was a dove looking at me! I felt the Lord say to me in that moment, “Mike I am with you, and you will come through this tribulation stay focused on me!” “He also said to me, “Out pray, out stay the dividers and use my wisdom to defeat the demonic forces seeking to destroy this church!”
ii. Back to diagnosis Day: As I looked at the dove in my bay window, I noticed the feathers of the dove were being blown around by the high winds, but it kept looking right at me. I watched the rain pellets hitting the dove and its eyes would close from the pounding rain then open again and look at me.
1. I know from Scripture doves are a sign of the Holy Spirit. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in that moment! So, I prayed to the Lord, “Lord I need your help, with this cancer?”
2. Then I felt the HS say: “I will be with you through the stormy journey, and you will come out the other end of the storm.”
a. The dove stayed around for about 5 minutes – then the phone rang, it was Tiffany my daughter calling me to see what they found in my scope. She was in shock. I told her and I turned around and the dove was gone.
i. I felt I had received a divine message of encouragement from the Lord. It was a God moment with a promise and a dove!
b. After talking to Tiffany – I picked up my Bible and read: Psalm 23: Which came alive to me!
i. “1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
1. In reading this Psalm in this crisis moment - the phrase struck me – that I am just walking through the valley of shadows with the Lord by my side – Yes, the valley has the shadow of death lurking off in the distance, trying to torment me and wanting me to embrace it as if there was no hope. But Jesus is right beside me to guide and protect me!
a. When He is with us! We have His presence and His power!
i. His presence brings love, encouragement, wisdom, inspiration, it builds my faith and trust in Him.
ii. His power always accompany’ s His presence so I felt sure He was going to eliminate the cancer with treatment and with prayer.
2. My mind reflected back to a movie I had seen years earlier: “A Beautiful Mind” starring Russel Crowe telling the true story of a professor who suffers from Schizophrenia and the personalities in his mind torment him, and lure him out of reality bringing havoc to his family and life, but he learns to ignore them after a long battle and to choose to live in reality and not in the delusion these characters wanted him to live in. Yes,
a. He notes to another professor in the movie “They were always there, off in the shadows, beckoning him to come to them and entertain them, to give them attention, but he chooses to reject them and ignore them.” He decided in his life to stay focused on his family, job and life without them.
3. The shadow of cancer is like those delusional characters in the movie – it was there taunting me – But Psalm 23 and other Scriptures reminded me, “I will be with you Mike through this unexpected journey and through the valley of shadows.”
4. I decided: I would choose to focus on the Lord and share my journey with my church and others. I choose to focus on God’s promise and the doves. I choose to be positive and filled with faith and hope in Jesus. I told the Lord every day I will praise you through this valley and honor you! No matter what happens!
T.S. – The 2nd dove came at another crisis moment in the unexpected journey!
II. My unexpected journey through the valley of shadows and the second dove:
a. I appreciated what Dr. H had done and his swift move to get the cancer out! But I felt the Lord tell me to connect with Dr. Hoyme – His wife Marilyn was on my board, and he is a retired Urologist – I asked if I should stay with Dr. H – He consulted his former partner Dr. Ike and they both felt my best move now – with cancer diagnosis to switch to Loyola Medical University Cancer Center – I discovered it was in my insurance network – So Dr. Dan and I talked and I called to see if I could get in with Dr. Q.. They told me I would receive an interview Monday or Tuesday to see if he would even take me.
i. The nurse Karen called for the initial interview, I soon discovered she knew of Christian Hills Church and School and told me I was in – no need to wait for another interview – she set an appointment up to see him for May 11. Remember he is the top Cancer urologist at Loyola and their lead professor on Cancer – When I met Dr. Q. I discovered he is the most humble doctor I have ever met – but remember here is how the Lord led me through the valley of shadows again – Karen knowing the church and school paved the way to get me a quick appointment!
1. Do you see how Jesus is leading me through the shadows? Thank You Jesus! I knew this was another miracle of God paving the way – guiding me through the valley and even leading me by quiet waters!
2. I know the Lord’s hand has guided through this unexpected journey – no one could tell me or convince me otherwise – He was there with His presence through each step and hurdle from day one – he was putting the right people in the right place at the right time!
a. I also as I mentioned earlier that I had trouble with setting up the Cat Scan, but I eventually connected with a person who knew me and recognized my voice – she said, “Is this Pastor Mike?” – she ended fixing it all to get the scan Asap and she worked out all the kinks. Thank you - Jesus again!
b. I hit another rough day in the journey after my second surgery with Dr. Q – The Doctor called to tell me after surgery that I needed to let him remove my bladder, my lymph nodes, and my prostrate – this was the Gold Plan. He said if I did not do this quickly or timely that they type of cancer I have could take my life if it spread. He said if the cancer gets out it could spread rapidly, and he would be unable to save my life – he noted I had a cancer combining with some other toxins which made it spread quickly and become deadly – I guess the two combined together create the perfect storm for cancer to spread quickly in your body.
i. He called in the middle of my staff meeting so I went home to pray and talk with Kathy.
1. We prayed and decided to stay on the same track with no removal of important parts. This was the Silver Plan – Do the BCG immune treatments – get everyone praying and trust the Lord to bring me through to having no cancer in the bladder.
2. At one point in our talk and prayer I said to Kathy, “It would be nice to get another visitation from a dove today.”
a. We both smiled!
ii. That night a young couple from church were scheduled to bring us a meal – Brock and Brittany.
1. They brought the food in and immediately gave me this card (Show Card)
a. Read it!
2. But they had also stopped at a store because they felt the Holy Spirit say they were supposed to bring me a dove to remind me of that dove in the window on the day I was diagnosed with Cancer and to remind me of God’s promise: “I will be with you through the storm, and you will come out the other end of the storm.”
3. It was another God moment! And a 2nd dove with a reminder of His promise and His presence. I knew then that Kathy and I had made the right decision!
T.S. – The 3rd dove came at another crisis moment for me in the unexpected journey!
III. My unexpected journey through the valley of shadows and the 3rd Dove (The porch view).
a. I read Psalm 46 a few weeks into the unexpected journey - I believe it was on the day of my 2nd treatment and not feeling well, but it came alive to me! Once again. I felt the Lord was speaking to me and encouraging me with Scripture – I felt the presence of the Lord as I read it:
i. Psalm 46:1-11(NIV)
1. 1God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah
a. Selah means (Pause and think calmly on that thought)
2. 4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
a. Selah means (Pause and think calmly on that thought)
3. 8Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. 10“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
a. Selah means (Pause and think calmly on that thought)
i. As I read Psalm 46 - I felt the Lord – say “Yes I am still with you – nothing is impossible with me!”
b. In this unexpected journey through the valley of shadows on this day, I was having a rough day! I had started my treatments, which were every Monday at 7am – They were called BCG treatments an immune therapy treatment where they placed the Tuberculous virus in my bladder and left in for two hours. I was contagious most of the day and had to stay away from others – and not have people use the same bathroom as I did. After the 1st &2nd treatments I did not feel the greatest!
i. So, I was not feeling well, but I was sitting on my back deck soaking up the sun and praying for God’s strength and encouragement:
1. I looked up on the roof of my house, and this is actually what I saw, (show picture) – another dove on the roof! “I smiled” But then I noticed the clouds and the sun – Do you see it? Do you see the dove in the clouds? Immediately I took this picture with my phone!
a. The Scripture verse sang out to me from 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
b. I started feeling the presence of the Lord surge through my body and soul on the porch looking at this amazing view.
2. A day later I discovered a devotion from U-verse called, “Journeying thru Cancer.” By Sue Boldt
a. The author was a person who was diagnosed with a rare cancer – a pastor’s wife and she just shared about her amazing journey to healing but it took five years. Yes, five years.
i. Share her story!
ii. After I completed the devotional, I then bought her book which gave more details about her journey through cancer. Her book is called, “Held In His Hands, A miracle story and encouragement for your healing” by Sue Boldt.
3. I also was given another book by Jerry and Cindi from church, which I have loved! This book has been a faith building and fear busting devotional called, “Beat Cancer Daily” by Chris Wark.
a. The Lord has spoken to me countless times as I read these devotions and I have made many notes in this anointed book!
i. He challenged me to trust God and pray – to let the doctors do their job and to take responsibility for my part in the battle with cancer.
1. I agreed with his first few devotions “I have to do my part!”
ii. Amazingly after this porch view experience – I started doing better with treatments - I completed all the treatments and from then on - I did amazing well – I started walking – exercising – and began averaging 10-12 thousand steps a day through it all – I cut out sugar – coffee and changed my diet – weight started coming off and my energy returned.
1. I even started an exercise dance class!
a. I am not kidding :)
2. The doctor and nurses kept asking me – Are you in a lot of pain – I honestly said -Nope! – Do you find yourself wiped out – Nope! – Are you suffering from depression and or anxiety? – Nope! Do you feel hopeless? I smile at them and say “Nope!”
a. Honestly things inside of me changed!
b. People here at the church started saying – Pastor Mike you do look sick or act sick – I would smile!
i. I have also answered people with the words “I feel great!” – I felt good 95 % of the time after this encounter – Many would just look at me and say “wow”?
ii. Jesus is faithful to His promises, and He was my strength as I walk with Him through the valley of the shadows!
iii. 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
T.S. - The 4th experience with doves came on an exciting day – we were on the porch after my last BCG treatment.
IV. My unexpected journey thru the valley of shadows and the 4th dove (Another Porch view):
a. On the last day of my treatment – I was just happy to be done - Kathy, Isa and I were once again sitting on our back porch and Isa had her camera and she looked up and said, “Look and took this picture- show the picture!”
i. On the roof of my house were now two doves! I had in the other 3 experiences only seen 1 dove!
1. She took this picture and added in for me my promise from the Lord at the beginning of the unexpected journey – the experience and picture remind me of His promise and presence with me through the stormy journey.
2. When I saw the picture after she put it all together – I felt the Lord speak to me and say, “We have made it through the unexpected journey of valley of shadows – I came with you through the storm! See, I am with you as now there are two doves together on the roof – sitting in the sun (sun). – The Lord let me know we have been in this together and you have made it through!
a. Remember – I still have no confirmation my cancer is gone – my procedure is a month out – but I felt I was healed – in my heart!
ii. The next day Kathy and I headed off for vacation and I had no idea that God was not done showing me His glory – on vacation over and over God showed me How majestic, and personal and powerful He is from yet another Porch – The Blue Mountain Mist Country Inn and Cottages in Tenn.!
b. The amazing Bed and Breakfast:
i. As we rolled up the driveway to the Blue Mountain Mist Country Inn – Our home for the next 7 nights I was excited! Immediately we saw the views of the Smokey Mountains – their Porch views, Pillow Talk and Porch talk ministered to me each day – yes, it was a Christian Bed and Breakfast.
1. The porch views were amazing, and I didn’t think they could get better, but they would!
a. We met the managers of the Bed and Breakfast that night and it was obvious they were Christians Jason and Collette.
i. The décor of the house had Scriptures and encouraging words everywhere you looked!
ii. Their Pillow talk spoke to me by the Holy Spirit: yes pillows spoke to me that first night!
1. “Pray always!”
2. “Don’t worry about anything instead Pray about everything” Philippians 4:6
3. “But first Pray”
4. “Be joyful always” 1 Thessalonians 5:16
5. “The Lord is my strength and my shield”
6. “Faith does not make things easy, it makes things possible.”
7. “This is your happy place.”
2. Our second day at the Inn Kathy discovered they gave discounts to pastors 50% on the weekdays and 25% on the weekends – they actually refunded our money – I could not believe how much of a blessing this place was.
3. The 2nd night porch view was stunning - I was sitting on the porch reading and I looked up as a thunderstorm stormed rolled over the Smokey Mountains.
a. I felt the storm reminded me of my unexpected journey of cancer and it brought me back to the day I discovered I had cancer and that stormy day. I watched this storm move across the mountains over a period of maybe ½ hour, then all of a sudden, this rainbow appeared – show the actual scene and picture – it was breath taking and I really felt the Lord say, “You have come through the storm, and I am showing you my glory and reminding you of my promise – I always keep my promises. Mike!”
i. I felt God’s presence sitting on that porch! It was refreshing!
4. The day of hiking and coming home to the Bed and Breakfast and another rainbow – show the picture – God reminding me of how He keeps His promises – I just felt blessed and ecstatic at the beauty of the Lord being revealed to me at this special place.
5. The fourth morning there I woke up to this view on the porch – sitting there sipping on my tea - I saw the fog and the cross in the fog – the Lord said see I am in the fog – right here with you! It was a quiet and tranquil moment with the Lord!
a. So, I took this picture!
6. The Porch Talk was interesting one night and the discussion from the Christian Group!
a. Comment from the one lady, “Everyone should go through Cancer it will change your perspective of life and the Lord.”
V. I had my procedure/surgery on Tuesday September 6th. The doctor told me after procedure/surgery no tumors and everything in bladder looked very good, but we would have to wait for pathology report.
a. He called the following Wednesday the 14th to say, “There were no signs of cancer in any layer of the bladder!” “Good News!” Kathy and I were ecstatic! God is always faithful!
b. I decided on Thursday to do a News Flash testimony letter (Show Letter) to give to my doctors and nurses and to others to give God the glory for my GOOD News! I know my journey is not over I do need to do preventative treatments for a year, but God is and will be with me!
Conclusion:
The Unexpected journey has led me to a new place and new revelation of the faithfulness of God – show slide 9
To me The Kingdom of Heaven is so clear to me - I do see things different! Jesus’ presence is so much more real to me than before! I feel I have been reignited for a fresh passion for the Lord and for ministry.
I really feel the Lord is going to use my testimony to encourage so many others going through their own unexpected journey’s - Share about people already wanting my News Flash Testimony and putting it up in places of business!
What do we need to know from this message and my journey?
Answer: To me the peace of God became more tangible and real! It is beyond human understanding.
Yes, it is a great mystery. It is beyond our human experience and comes into the midst of our unexpected trials and suffering to mount us up like the wings of eagles. God has told us this peace can never be completely understood, but it can be ours through prayer, or by asking God for help. I asked and He responded He will do the same for you too.
What do we need to do from this message and my unexpected journey?
Answer: We need to understand this peace is a gift, but you must seek it. God’s hope, strength, and peace are waiting for you. But you must ask. This asking, the words we say from our heart to someone greater than ourselves, is called prayer. Prayer is not complicated, there’s no pat formula or religious words that you must say. Prayer is simply talking to God. But there are a few things we should keep in mind as we begin to seek the power of God in our fight against cancer or any other unexpected journey.
1. God is waiting for you to pray. So, pray!
a. “That may be hard to fathom, but God has said (through the Bible) that he is standing at the door of our life and is knocking1. He will not come in unless we open the door—but if we do the one who created all the universe will come in and listen. Incredible as it sounds, this simple act of praying to God has brought comfort and hope and peace to millions over the centuries and to me through my journey.”
2. When asking God for help, God already knows everything about you and me. He just wants you talk to Him and ask for help – He knows what you need!
a. “Before you were ever formed in your mother’s womb, God knew you. That’s what He says. So, when you pray you don’t have to explain things to Him. You are speaking to the one who knows you better than anyone else.”
3. God listens to your words but He wants your heart. Give Him you heart – it’s amazing what He will do with it!
a. “Words are important, but there’s no pre-written formula, or churchy words. No, when asking God for help, God just wants you to pour out your heart. He just wants you to put every pain, every fear, every disappointment into a basket and hand it to Him.”
b. He will take it for you! He really will!
4. Remember who God is.
a. “Pay attention to porch views and things around you. Look out on the night-time sky. The one who made all those billions of stars and all the galaxies wants to commune with you, to comfort you in the sighs and groanings of your life which are too deep for words. He loves you. Prayer connects you powerfully with his love, when you are asking God for help.”
5. Remember, when you have opened the door to God, he will not abandon you “He will be with you!”. It’s a great promise of His! Remember it!
a. “When you finish praying, you’re likely not going to see smoke or flashing lights (or maybe you will) or any of the Hollywood-like scenes that try to depict an experience with God. Instead, the hope, strength and peace of God comes slowly as we unload our fears and troubles day after day. Then, something begins to build inside us that we know is real. Then God reveals himself to us in the journey – look for His presence and messages – they will encourage you.”
b. “It may sound trite and churchy to say so, but God works through people as well as prayers. The support of others who are lifting their prayers to him can help carry us through the tough times. When you pray, ask God to bring you into contact with others who are praying to him for help, too.”
i. The above thoughts and words are quoted and were adapted and taken from https://www.hopehasarrived.com/asking-god-for-help/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwsrWZBhC4ARIsAGGUJuqne_9GV45wJzGlOCEnXRWnt7YSIyp6rr0uMHzZ_jaenbkR95xHkuIaAsMyEALw_wcB
1. Article: Asking God for Help - Hope Has Arrived!
