Power of Prayer, a small testimonial for a big deal.
Dec 10, 2019 13:24:40 #
I was never a "Praying man".. outside of those "hail mary, 911" prayers when the world had me by the shorthairs. I never understood those who prayed. I guess that revelation must come from Above. I didnt understand how someone could petition someone or something, with the Hope's of it coming true...like God was a genie in a bottle or something. Boy oh boy, was I wrong.
In all my dangerous endeavors as an addict and a street person I remained safe...well, safe-ish. I thought I was just "that good" or very lucky, but now I realize it was prayer that kept me alive all this time. You see, I really had nothing to look forward to, no hope of ever becoming whole and complete, and I often thought things would be better off if I just "was" no more. I put myself in very dangerous, often life threatening situations purposely. My battlecry was "you only live once so get it in while you can". I was reckless.
My mother though... God bless her. My mother prayed her butt off for me. She got others to join in for my benefit. I believe their prayers kept me alive. I said all of that so I could talk about my "mindset switch" and how prayer has affected my life and how powerfully effective it was..
While in the thick of my addiction, the tail end of my career as a drug addict, I was worn right down. My teeth were broken and rotted down to the gum line. My hair was gray at 36yrs old. My face bruised and well worn.. one of my last uses gave me a stroke and a T.I.A. (trans ischemic attack), paralyzing the left side of my face. A week after that, a younger man robbed me with a box cutter, and I took it from him but not before he hit me in the arm with it, laying my forearm wide open and snapping a tendon and nerve, severing them... in turn, this paralyzed my wrist and hand. The hospital called it "wristdrop" and said I had waited too long to come in so they couldn't reattach things. I went on, living in the streets in this condition, for another 9 months or so.
When I finally had enough, really had enough, I checked into a rescue mission homeless shelter here in Bay City, where i knew absolutely no one personally. Two weeks later i was saved, two weeks sober, but still my body was broken. And beyond repair...or so I thought. One of the directors of the shelter spoke with me often, kind of took me under his wing, and shared his faith with me daily, building my faith up as well. Hes the one that got me praying.
He told me to pray to my hand, and to pray in the mirror to my face, be faithful in my heart (actually believe it is already a done deal), and ask God for a new lease on this beaten body of mine. Now, I was very self-conscious at first, also doubtfull a bit, but I chose to borrow Rick's faith and do what he said to do. I prayed at my hand daily, massaging the fingers and bending them with my other hand... still numb, still wasting away and losing muscle, still full of doubt. However, I kept this up daily no matter what, just because Rick seemed so sure. About a week later, give or take a day, my hand started to feel like it fell very asleep, but was waking up...I felt pain!! Pins and needles!! Different from numb. This pushed my faith-gas pedal to the floor!! I was so excited that I didnt think for one second this was coincidence...no, this was God. And He was talking to me!!
I continued in prayer, more belief this time and less doubt, and within two weeks time I had my hand back. Totally back. The only residual I have is the scar. My face? Well, you've seen pictures on here, no drooping, no half smile...healed. this is a huge part of my saving, and sealed the deal so to speak...I was a sellout. I became a Jesus freak lol. And proud of it, I might add.
So, I learned through my own experience, and I saw it with my own eyes...prayer is powerful. It saves lives, it heals, it is the ultimate form of love..
I wanted to post this, mearly because it was on my heart to do so. I also wanted you all to know just how serious I am when I say something like "we are praying for you", because doubt not, we most definitely are praying in the spirit for you. And we believe in what we are praying. I hope this little part of my "big picture" helps to build someone's faith or prayer life...i wanna be in the business of building faith because this world is in the business of tearing us down.
Go in love and grace my friends,
Denny
In all my dangerous endeavors as an addict and a street person I remained safe...well, safe-ish. I thought I was just "that good" or very lucky, but now I realize it was prayer that kept me alive all this time. You see, I really had nothing to look forward to, no hope of ever becoming whole and complete, and I often thought things would be better off if I just "was" no more. I put myself in very dangerous, often life threatening situations purposely. My battlecry was "you only live once so get it in while you can". I was reckless.
My mother though... God bless her. My mother prayed her butt off for me. She got others to join in for my benefit. I believe their prayers kept me alive. I said all of that so I could talk about my "mindset switch" and how prayer has affected my life and how powerfully effective it was..
While in the thick of my addiction, the tail end of my career as a drug addict, I was worn right down. My teeth were broken and rotted down to the gum line. My hair was gray at 36yrs old. My face bruised and well worn.. one of my last uses gave me a stroke and a T.I.A. (trans ischemic attack), paralyzing the left side of my face. A week after that, a younger man robbed me with a box cutter, and I took it from him but not before he hit me in the arm with it, laying my forearm wide open and snapping a tendon and nerve, severing them... in turn, this paralyzed my wrist and hand. The hospital called it "wristdrop" and said I had waited too long to come in so they couldn't reattach things. I went on, living in the streets in this condition, for another 9 months or so.
When I finally had enough, really had enough, I checked into a rescue mission homeless shelter here in Bay City, where i knew absolutely no one personally. Two weeks later i was saved, two weeks sober, but still my body was broken. And beyond repair...or so I thought. One of the directors of the shelter spoke with me often, kind of took me under his wing, and shared his faith with me daily, building my faith up as well. Hes the one that got me praying.
He told me to pray to my hand, and to pray in the mirror to my face, be faithful in my heart (actually believe it is already a done deal), and ask God for a new lease on this beaten body of mine. Now, I was very self-conscious at first, also doubtfull a bit, but I chose to borrow Rick's faith and do what he said to do. I prayed at my hand daily, massaging the fingers and bending them with my other hand... still numb, still wasting away and losing muscle, still full of doubt. However, I kept this up daily no matter what, just because Rick seemed so sure. About a week later, give or take a day, my hand started to feel like it fell very asleep, but was waking up...I felt pain!! Pins and needles!! Different from numb. This pushed my faith-gas pedal to the floor!! I was so excited that I didnt think for one second this was coincidence...no, this was God. And He was talking to me!!
I continued in prayer, more belief this time and less doubt, and within two weeks time I had my hand back. Totally back. The only residual I have is the scar. My face? Well, you've seen pictures on here, no drooping, no half smile...healed. this is a huge part of my saving, and sealed the deal so to speak...I was a sellout. I became a Jesus freak lol. And proud of it, I might add.
So, I learned through my own experience, and I saw it with my own eyes...prayer is powerful. It saves lives, it heals, it is the ultimate form of love..
I wanted to post this, mearly because it was on my heart to do so. I also wanted you all to know just how serious I am when I say something like "we are praying for you", because doubt not, we most definitely are praying in the spirit for you. And we believe in what we are praying. I hope this little part of my "big picture" helps to build someone's faith or prayer life...i wanna be in the business of building faith because this world is in the business of tearing us down.
Go in love and grace my friends,
Denny
Dec 10, 2019 13:32:34 #
Dec 10, 2019 13:42:48 #
Dec 10, 2019 13:56:40 #
plumbob wrote:
Is that Chapter one Denny? Moving story there.
"Moving story there".. I like that, it's also an ongoing story, still building..
Couple pictures of my face, the gash and severed tendon.. so you may see the severity. You can literally see the "before and afters" of my prayers. Bottom pic is the here and now.. God restores!!!
Dec 10, 2019 13:57:47 #
I didnt think before I sent those pics, I hope no one has a weak stomach.. I will think first next time and ask permission before I go assaulting someone with hard pictures...
Dec 10, 2019 14:00:46 #
JimRed wrote:
May God's Love remain with you.
Thank you JR, right back atcha bud!
Dec 10, 2019 14:04:15 #
JSB
Loc: Wentzville, MO
That was a wonderful testimony Denny. I whole heartedly believe in prayer also. I just thought it was because He took a broken me and turned it into something of His. But to read your testimony and also read others testimonies on my bible apps and through my believer friend I know, Prayer really is something special and that healing from it can only come from faith in The Lord. Amen Denny.
Dec 10, 2019 19:09:49 #
Some of us live and learn and it seems that with a substantial amount of help, you have. Well done, sir. Others just live...if they can.
Prayer has kept many of us alive and it is pleasing to learn that so many take this as a simple fact. You are here for a reason, sir. We are all glad to see you are not wasting it.
Prayer has kept many of us alive and it is pleasing to learn that so many take this as a simple fact. You are here for a reason, sir. We are all glad to see you are not wasting it.
Dec 11, 2019 09:31:34 #
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