Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

“I feel so tired all the time, I feel so dizzy and sleepy most of the time”. “Is it stress or could it be that I worry too much for no reason?

Is it because I’m thinking too much?” “I’m unable to control urination…Am I sick”?

Then I said to myself “it’s been two months of these worrying symptoms I think its best I consult a doctor”. Not too long ago these were the experiences that troubled me, before I decided to visit a doctor.

A day later I met a physician and was advised to take some blood and urine tests. “It’s just a routine check” she said; “this will rule out any major problems”.

I told myself… “I’m just 28 years old, what could go wrong?” So I courageously walked to the diagnostic centre and gave my samples and got back home as if I was totally fine. I slept through the evening and night and the next day went to collect my reports. I took my reports; not knowing what it said I headed straight to the doctor with a big smile asking her to enlighten me because I couldn’t understand anything in it..

Little did I know in a few minutes I was going to be shattered by what she reveals, in my state of blissful ignorance I heard her loud and clear, she asked me “Are you married?” grinning I said “not yet”, she raised her eyebrows and broke the news “Christina you are diabetic, your sugar levels are extremely high, we will need to run a few more tests and put you on immediate medication” I smiled at her and said “I will do a few more tests and we can check”. What she said after that I don’t know! How I reached home I don’t remember! My feet trembled, I sunk in fear and felt like I was going into a tunnel of darkness that had no light on the other side, and I choked.

What did I do wrong? What am I being punished for? I’ve been good! This can’t be right; they might have mixed up the reports or samples. What should I do now?

I was in denial! I began putting my faith in medicines and medical treatment; I thought Doctors had a cure, I sought after the best diabetic hospitals and specialists, Oh how I wished one of them would say there is a cure! But all in vain! Angry, sad, and furious I began to question God. I questioned his intention when he created me. I even questioned his existence. I sulked and indulged in self pity, isolated myself and cried within. Various thoughts raced through my mind and one day I found myself contemplating suicide. I was ashamed!

This is when I realized that it wasn’t a cure that I needed; I needed strength, I needed courage, and I needed healing and deliverance; not from my illness but from my negativity and disbelief. It took me 3 months to accept what had come upon me. And this I was able to do only through PRAYER!!!

Three months of despair, and then slowly I began to speak to God; this time not with anger hoarded up within but with humility and acceptance, I did question God but now I asked him for help! I knelt down and spoke to him; because after all prayer is speaking to God! and as I spoke to him I realised what I had never before analysed, it struck to me how I had memorized prayers as a ritual, I recited prayers as if it were an obligation not associating to the meaning of what I was saying, I went to church to keep the evil away from taking me to hell!!! A superstitious obeisance to God who I clearly took for granted!!!

With this realisation or should I term it enlightenment; I learnt the best lesson in life ‘Prayer gives you Strength’. Strength that no other external variant of life could replace; Strength that revives your soul and makes you ready to fight any battle that life throws at you!

I was strengthened, as days went by God moved mountains, as I grew in faith and began to respond to his voice, I gathered the courage to look beyond my illness, I began to live a normal life with medicines as a negligible part of it, it was then that I realized my goals and worked towards it. God showed me, it wasn’t the end of the world and I could still live life to the fullest. I pursued my focus on work, I travelled, I steered myself towards living a more positive and fruitful life, a life that brought me satisfaction. Marriage blessed me with a beautiful and healthy child to cherish for the rest of my life. I had my ups and downs even during these years, but I continue to be blessed and strengthened through prayer.

Every person’s experience of praying or prayer is different and so is their need. Each one of us believes in a certain source of power that is supreme. But what binds us in common is ‘BELIEF’. When we believe there is a God all powerful and mighty and that God can help us; we are able to move forward with FAITH and HOPE.

“Prayer is a bridge that connects us to The Lord Almighty”, I’m sure all of us have heard this at some point. But what is your Personal equation with the Lord? When you pray do you connect with God? Ask yourself, “Have I been sincere with the Lord?” “Have I been honest with my prayers?” This analysis is what exalts us into the presence of God.

We are all sinners and have gone against God in many ways but our God is an ever-loving God. The power of prayer should never be underestimated or doubted. It doesn’t matter who is praying but when we pray with an earnest heart, HE LISTENS! God answers all prayers that are in agreement with His will. Prayer has the power of making a difference in a just a moment, whatever your problems, be it Health, Finances, Emotions, Psychological issues, Social, or Academic problems etc… If we look up to God with faith and believe in His deliverance, we can surely endure anything through His miraculous Grace!

Matthew 17:20- Jesus said, “…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you”

In conclusion I’d like to say “Our destiny is in the hands of God; Only God and our faith in prayer can redeem our life”