The date was Tuesday, May 10, 1983, and I lay sick in bed in Rockville, Maryland, USA, with a nasty head cold. My throat was very sore and earlier that day, I had coughed up blood. I lived alone, so whenever I got this sick, I stayed close to my bedroom so I could lay down if I became dizzy or winded.

That evening, I settled myself in bed and tried to begin preparing my Sunday School lesson which was found in the Book of Acts 19:11 & 12:

       11. “Now God worked unusual miracles by the

        hand of Paul, 12. so that even handkerchiefs or

        aprons were brought from his body to the

        sick, and the diseases left them and evil

        spirits went out of them.”

As I continued to study, my attention kept going back to verse 12. Finally, I said to myself, ‘I wonder if a cloth could heal my throat.’ Immediately, my Mother came to mind and the Holy Spirit reminded me of her true devotion to the Lord all throughout the day.

At that time, my mother lived in Minneapolis, Mn., but earlier that same year she had crocheted some table doilies and sent me a ten-piece set. In my mind, I could picture her settled in her favorite chair rocking and crocheting while at the same time humming hymns and giving praises to her God all the day long.

So, I got out of my bed and went downstairs to the hall closet where I had placed the newly received doilies. Very carefully and with a lot of hesitation, I removed the box from the top shelf. I selected a small round coaster doily. I then tipped toed back upstairs to my room. Boy, was I nervous and continued praying all the while. Cautiously, I slipped back into bed and braced myself against the pillows. I held the doily in one hand and prayed over it very softly. Next, I asked God if I was doing the right thing. I wanted to assure him that I was not “trying” him. It was my fervent desire to only trust him for his healing power.

The next thing I did was to carefully place the handheld doily on my sore throat and kept both hands clasped tightly over it. At the same time, I quietly continued to pray…almost apologetically for my demonstrative actions. Suddenly, something began to happen!

The first thing I noticed was that a cool bright breeze was coming towards me. It passed through my nostrils. Actually, it rushed through my nostrils. My eyelids popped open and I put one hand over my mouth to keep from screaming. I sensed it was the Holy Spirit, and I wanted to speak out and praise God. But at that precise moment I had to swallow. When I did, everything went right down my throat with ease. No pain. My eyes got bigger and I began to sweat, Somehow I found the courage to whisper, ‘Lord, is that You?’ In a still small voice He responded, ‘You asked to be healed, didn’t you? Well, do not waver!

Tears of joy began to stream down my cheeks. Incoherent praises were coming from my mouth. My voice still sounded as if I had a cold, but my head was all cleared up. My eyes stopped watering. My fever had dropped. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! I was healed. I recognized that with the aide of the Holy Spirit, my mother’s doily and most of all faith in Jesus Christ, I was healed just as Paul’s handkerchief had healed those saints in the Book of Acts.

In my later years of life, I am still thanking God and sending up prayers for his love and tender care…

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your blueprint for prayer. I knew that You were with me when I sought You in my bedroom and that I did not have to pray a long prayer because You know me so well that You already knew every thing that I wanted to ask You. Without a doubt, You are a wonder-working God. A doctor Who has never lost a case. A healer to all those who call upon Your holy and blessed Name.

I sincerely thank You for putting me in a quiet place that night so many years ago. It was there where I could be alone with You. You prompted me through the Holy Spirit to take courage and delight in You as I experienced Your healing powers. You have no respect of person…you blessed me as mercifully as you blessed the Apostle Paul.

And less I forget, You also remembered to honor and bless my (now deceased) mother’s devotion to You. Amen!

Scripture Lesson: “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6

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