BEING ON GOD’S RADAR A personal testimony in the power of prayer

Did you know that when you become a born-again Christian that your prayers are powerful? See (James 5:16)

We learn from the Biblical Patriarchs and New Testament Apostles, that the connection to God to know Him changes things. In the Old Testament God worked through men and women He chose to direct and counsel His people. In the New Testament after Christ’s death and resurrection, God worked through His Holy Spirit in those saved by Christ. One area God moves powerfully through is prayer today, especially, for those in need of God that are not on God’s radar. For in being made right through Christ God begins to hear our prayers. When that happens we are able to spiritually move people from underneath Satans control and radar, to the Heavenly Father’s radar and will. For it’s only by faith that this happens. See (1 John 3:22-23)

Just think about it, before Christ we all were under Satan’s radar; centered within his bullseye/target so he can steal, kill, and destroy our lives. After the death and resurrection of Christ that all changed. Those saved in Christ are now connected to God on a powerful, spiritual level. That which was lost in the garden with Adam and Eve was now regained in Christ. We can now through the (Holy Spirit) move the unsaved into God’s sight by prayer so He can work to save them. In a process of God’s will, and timing, which moves about a change as they and their lives become “lit-up” on God’s radar.

This truth and experience I have witnessed many times over the past 40 years, and it began not only to reveal itself after my spiritual rebirth but also, via my prayer for a neighbor that I lived next door to in San Diego, California. Her name was Susan, and she was of Jewish decent and a new mom to an adorable toddler named Melissa. Susan was married to Bob who was in the Navy and worked at the Naval base on Coronado Island. Bob had a bad drinking problem, and they lived in the same duplex my apartment was connected too. Often in the evenings I would hear Bob yelling at Susan and sometimes abusing her. During that time my faith was young and God was opening my eyes to understand the power of prayer. Soon I began to pray for Susan and Bob and never, would I think that my childlike faith would make a difference, as I had only been a Christian for about 3 years. Still, I felt the need to be obedient to pray for Bob and Susan so I did.

Months later things came to a head one-day when Suzan ran over to my apartment with Melissa because Bob had called her drunk and angry and on his way home. Taking her into my home to comfort her I began asking Christ via prayer to take control and to help Susan. At that time my husband was away for the Navy and I was alone with my own toddler as fear threatened my faith in what I would face alone. While I calmed Susan down we soon heard Bob arrive home, and seeing Susan was not there he went into a rage, shouting her name. Susan never told him where she was but somehow Bob knew she was with me. As Susan sat crying with her frightened baby on her lap on my couch Bob pounded on my front door, I took a deep breath, prayed, and opened the door to face Bob. In that moment all I can say is that a calm and a peace came over me as I stood face to face with a man in a drunken fury. That moment the Holy Spirit took over, and I became God’s vessel to speak to Bob. It reminded me of the scripture where Jesus tells His disciples to not worry about what they will say when they are brought before rulers for persecution in Luke 12:12. In that moment the Holy Spirit rose to speak to Bob through me in my persecution by a man full of drunken wrath. Within seconds, as the calm and peace came upon me I witnessed a man full of anger suddenly soften emotionally, and soon began to cry. As I spoke it seemed the love of Christ poured into Bob, and something changed in a surrender I never expected to see.

Was this Gods plan in answering my prayer for Susan and Bob? As Bob stood in a sweaty mess at my front door I poured things into him I cannot remember today. He was then firmly warned that I would call the police if he hurt his wife again, as the emotional trauma of his actions is killing his family, and it needs to stop. God was telling Bob to STOP!

After a brief silence Bob began to apologized to me and especially to Susan, who was now standing by me at the door. Soon they were hugging each other with baby Melissa in a moment of hope. Bob apologized again, and thanked me for helping his family. I then watched as Bob slowly walked his family back to their apartment in peace, and hopeful resolve.

Closing my front door, I stood in shock and amazement in what had just happened. I picked-up my toddler and embraced him tightly thanking God that we both were safe. Clearly without a doubt, I saw God answer my prayers not only for Susan and Bob, but for me, in being used by Him. (It’s true what Jesus said, that we can do the things that He did and more, because He goes to the Father, see John 14:12). The key to this is in asking the Holy Spirit to take control, to engage the Holy Spirit. A Biblical truth I would experience on deeper levels over the years.

That day if I had opened the door as myself without Jesus it could have been a disaster, or deadly. Which brings to memory the scripture - John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, an I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” Jesus take the wheel! (My words and He did!)

However, it wouldn’t be until 3 years later and via a miracle that I would hear from Susan again.

Not long after that time I moved back to Kentucky to live with my parents while my husband went on deployment for the Navy. Afterwards, he was then station in Florida where we moved, and (via prayer) I found a local church that I loved.

Then one-day I received a letter from Susan, and the address was not fully correct on the letter but somehow it found me. Amazed yet excited to hear from Susan, I hurried inside and eagerly opened her letter. As I read the words on the pages tears began to fill my eyes and spill down my cheeks. At one point my hands began to shake so I stopped, and took a breath before continuing on with the letter…..

God did change Susan’s and Bob’s life! Not long after we had moved away Bob and Susan started going to church. They both were then saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit. Bob was delivered from his alcohol addiction and anger and is now a changed man. Bob and Susan have a ministry through their church to help those struggling with addictions. Bob had been promoted in the Navy and they now live a life they never believed to have. They moved out of the Duplex and purchased a beautiful home with Bob’s promotion. Finding Christ made all the difference, and their family is healed and happy today. They both are bringing up Melissa to know the Lord. Over the past year (during that time) Susan felt the need to find me to tell me what God had done, she was unsure of my address but prayed the Lord would get her letter to me and - He did.

I share this true story (out of many that I have) to confirm the power of our prayers. If I did not move Susan and Bob into God’s radar by prayer I can only imagine how their lives would have turned out. Left on that same destructive track it would not have ended well.

Christians today need to be moving their unsaved family members and friends into God’s radar. Get right with God if you need to so that your prayers will be heard, see (Proverbs 15:29). Begin engaging God’s Spirit in the lives of those God puts in your path and see what God does. Do it NOW! Do not wait, time is running out for that door to pray will be ending soon.

What prompted me sharing my story today was reading:
(Proverbs 19:20-21.)
“Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”

The Lord wants us to grow in His wisdom so that He can direct His will for our lives, and answer our prayers for those placed inside His Radar. (Like Susan and Bob)

Why?

God says:
“Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you,……..”.
(Isaiah 43:4)