In May, Rob and I were walking to the beach parking lot after taking care of the Spring chores at the family house on Whidbey Island. As soon as we left our house, TJ whizzed by us in his golf cart asking if we wanted a ride. We passed on the offer and continued to walk to our car.
TJ, a burly middle aged man, lived a life of trouble with the law, women and alcohol. This unfortunate combination led to multiple arrests and time in and out of prison. About 4 years ago, TJ finished serving time at the penitentiary and was back at the beach. Soon after he got out of prison, Rob had a conversation with TJ which concluded with Rob praying for him, for a new life and new start.
We got to the parking lot just after TJ who comes over to us and asks, “Hey, are you the ones who go to that Asian American Church?”
“Why?” we ask.
“Do you believe in miracles?” TJ asks us.
We were all ears.
“About 4 years ago,” he say, “ I was completely inebriated. My life was a mess. I was watching this show on miracles. I desparately needed a miracle. So I called the number listed on the show and an African American woman answered and prayed for me. This women prayed violent prayer over me. I have been clean ever since.”
“Wow!” we said with our jaws dropping.
“I’ve spent 30 years of my life drunk” said TJ. ” I’ve been in and out of jail, the penitentiary and Walla Walla. I would dead if it weren’t for this miracle. Now I have heart problems but hey this nothing compared to my old problems. It’s a miracle!”
Rob and I left TJ amazed at the power God to rescue a poor and broken soul. We remember the little prayers we uttered when we would see TJ at the beach every year. We think of the Holy Spirit leading this unknown African American woman to violently pray to deliver TJ from bondage. She may never know the outcome of her prayers.
We have prayed many prayers for people, families and nations. Often times we do not know the immediate outcome. But every once in awhile someone comes around out of the blue to tell us a story like TJ on power of prayer. TJ may not know or remember our part in praying for him but this doesn’t matter. For some reason he was lead to share his story with us. This is God’s gift to us and urges us to violent prayer.
Thank you, Jesus. We do believe in miracles.
