PRAYER ANSWERED
God’s Word is a Treasure
I while back I lost my eyesight and I became unable to read the bible. However, after a recent surgical procedure, my eyesight improved enough to allow me to read again. Now, every time I read my Bible, I feel that every single word is like a treasure. Praise the Lord!
Tokyo K.G.
God’s Love Extends to My Little Daughter
My two-year-old daughter gets ill very easily. Recently she had a fever over 40 degrees for three straight days. She wouldn’t be able to keep her medicine down, and even when she did, her fever would return as soon as the medicine runs out. Worried, I laid my hand on my sleeping daughter and prayed that he will extend his healing touch through me. An hour later, her fever was gone and she is now completely healthy. I thank God for the victory against this sickness. I pray that He will continue to protect my daughter and use me for his purpose.
Kanagawa R.T.
God’s Word Leads Us to Victory
Recently, I have been troubled by some problems with interpersonal relationships. But then I received that month’s issue of “The Message of Blessing.” Through prayer and reading, I was able to solve the conflicts that I had. I have been helped and encouraged by the readings many times, and I thank God for His word that has led me to victory many times.
Kanagawa T.T.
My Prayers While Buried in the Debris
The Hanshin Earthquake was a terrifying experience. I was in my home when it struck without a warning. First, the windows shattered and the pieces of glass fell on me, followed by even bigger things. Soon, I was buried under the debris and could no longer move. While trapped under the ruins of my home, I begin to pray. Concerned for the safely of my pastor, I prayed for my him, and my fears began to fade. Knowing that I was going to die without help soon, I prayed earnestly for help. Then suddenly, I felt someone grab my foot, and I heard a voice calling out, “Hey! Are you ok?” Apparently, my foot was showing from inside the rubble. I remember calling out for help, but besides that I cannot remember anything. Later I learned that though they were able to get me out, I was moved to a different hospital twice because of the damage the earthquake did on the buildings. The first hospital was damaged from the quake, and the second had no water because of the broken pipelines. Finally, at the third hospital, I was treated for my wounds and, with God’s help, was slowly able to recover. Weeping, I realized how fortunate I was, and how Christians are the most fortunate people in the world because God looks after their safety. I plan to share my experience with my pastor as well.
Hyogo H.H.
A Child Raised in Joy
Thank you for praying for my child. He has now finished fourth grade safely. His teacher wrote that although his grades are only average, he is kind to everyone, outgoing, and has a lot of friends. As a parent, I’m glad to hear that he is getting along with his peers. It seems like as he grew up in an atmosphere surrounded by the love and prayer of Christians, he naturally learned how to love and help others. I guess I would like to see him excel in academics, but above all else, I’m thankful for the gifts that God has given my child.
Chiba A.K.
My Mother Attends Church
My prayers have been answered! My 76 year-old mother has finally decided to come to a church service with me on the 21st of May. She sat beside me and heard God’s word, the sermon, and the praises we sung to God. Thanks be to God!
Chiba H.O.
The Lord has Heard My Cry
I thank the Lord that he has kept me safe in the Hanshin earthquake. It happened at 3:00 in the morning for me, when I was fast asleep in bed. Unaware of what was happening, I dreamt that I was riding on a roller coaster ride, hanging on for dear life. Caught in the nightmare, I called out Jesus’ name in my sleep. Awakened by my own outburst, I realized what had happened, but by that time, the house was no longer shaking. However, when I looked out the window, my blood froze. In my back yard was an enormous crack which ran all the way from one end of the yard to the opposite end. The crack was at least 2 meters deep and one sides of the crevice was about 20 cm higher than the other. There was also a similar crack on the other side of the house. A specialist later told us that the house had shifted a little, which kept the crack from running under the house itself. It would have passed through the very spot that I was sleeping that night. I believe that God had heard my cry and protected our house, for in the midst of all the rubble, the house stands strangely undamaged. It made me realize how real God is even today.
Hyogo E.A.
I Continue to Give Praise to God
The Earthquake completely destroyed my home, but supported by the many prayers and support from many people, I am able to live everyday with peace in spite of my circumstances, and my needs are somehow being met every day. My son and daughter-in-law have been especially helpful. He has helped us modify and rebuild our house, and his wife cooks for us once in a while. I’m so thankful for my son and his wife and their sensitivity in extending a helping hand in our time of need.
Also, I thanks my Christian friends who have called us, written to us, and sent us tapes to encourage us, and I thank God for his encouragement he gives us through them.
Hyogo T.M.
Editor’s note:
In the Hanshin Earthquake, a certain member of the prayer key family was buried under rubble and was killed. This event filled us with sorrow, and we mourned for him. However, I feel that if he was able to leave us a testimony of that terrible event, I have a feeling that it would encourage us rather than to cause us sorrow, even more than the testimonies of those who have lived through the Hanshin Earthquake. His testimony may have gone something like this:
“At that moment, in the midst of all the confusion, I called out the name of Jesus. A split second later, all was calm and peaceful, and I felt the joy of the eternal fellowship with our Savior. Peace and Happiness overwhelmed me and I knew I was finally home. Hallelujah!”
For those of us who are still alive, I feel that we should reexamine our lives in the view of the hope that we have. Let us walk increasingly close to God for the short time we have left in this world. May the Peace of God be with you, your friends, and your family, always.
The Work of God in Times of Sickness
Thank you for praying for my son. The seizures from the stroke have been occurring less and less, and although during August the doctors had suggested surgery to implant a pacemaker for an irregular heartbeat, the situation has improved and the surgery will no longer be necessary. It was during these hardships that my son has begun believing in God, and by December, he confirmed his newfound faith with baptism. I thank God for his many blessings.
Tokyo E. S.
His Strength During Financial Depression
Businesses have been going very slow during this time of financial depression, but God is graciously protecting my job. Thank you for your prayers. Among my colleagues, there have been people have had three of their client businesses go bankrupt, but my clients are all doing very well. Some of them are even doing better than during the previous year. I am pleasantly surprised that through my faith, God has blessed even my partners in business. As long as I have my faith in God, I have nothing to fear.
Hyogo K. M.
Days God has Granted Me
Supported by your prayers, I have now safely made it through the year. I am thankful for His protection. It has been 7 years since my baptism, and I am now almost 84 years old but am still making myself useful around the house. God hears my prayers. Last year I attended 52 services including the New Year’s service. I hardly ever leave the house for any other reason than attending a church services, but I am still very fit mentally, by the grace of God. I am finally realizing at this age the joys of praying for others as they pray for me.
Chiba N. K.
Seeking and Saving the lost
As the one I most wanted saved, I put younger brother’s name on my prayer list. God has answered my prayers. Last Christmas eve, my brother was baptized. It is nothing short of a miracle. My brother had disappeared after accumulating a large debt, but he has during that time found Christ. He came home a few days before Christmas as a new creature in Christ. My mother and father were overwhelmed with the joy of my brother’s return as wall as his salvation. I am filled with thanks for such a wonderful Christmas present from God.
Ibaraki T. K.
The Miracle in my Husband’s life
Last year around Christmas, Rev. Sakurai put my husband’s name on the prayer list for the prayers at the foot of Calvary, and the answer came swiftly. During one of the New Year Services on January 2, my husband, who had previously refused to believe in spite of his knowledge of Christ, suddenly made a confession of faith. I was so surprised. God is alive! When I see the changes in my husband who now goes to church every week, I cannot help but praise Him.
Kanagawa T. T.
Abundant Blessings through Faith and Prayer
Before I met Christ, I had a mental breakdown and I have been hospitalized for it for quite some time. But ever since A. O. from the Prayer Key Family told me about Rex Humbard Ministry, I started studying the bible, and my condition has been improving. On December 25th, Christmas day, I was released from the hospital to begin a new life. This year has been a great year for me. I believe with all my heart what God’s word says about prayer being the key to blessing, and that faith will open that door.
Wakayama Y. S.
Blessings Even Through Deaths
On December 1, my husband suddenly died from a heart attack at the age of 75. Even during that day, everything seemed normal and we were totally unaware of anything unusual, until the following morning when I realized that he has passed away in his sleep. Although it all happened very suddenly, through the support of your prayers and God’s sustaining hand I am able to have peace about it, and I praise God for that fact.
When my husband was alive, he was a very committed Christian, expressing his faith through teaching Sunday school to young children as well as being dedicated educator who was loved by many people. Thinking of my husband in heaven as a beloved servant of God, I can now hold the attitude of gratitude and peace. Let us all live in a way that will glorify His name as He grants us His strength.
Tokyo S. U.
Hallelujah for my Husband’s Baptism!
I have very good news. I have been a Christian for 30 years, but my husband is a very stubborn man and would not accept Christ. However, on November 21, he finally went to a church service for the first time. He soon started to believe, and he was baptized on Christmas along with another good friend of mine. I am so overwhelmed with joy! I am singing praises to Him every day. I would like to continue to witness to others as the Holy Spirit leads me.
Tokyo K. H.
The Family Unified by Christ
Last Sunday, I attended church with my husband and my daughter. That day, we declared in front of the congregation that our family was now officially a member of the church.
In the midst of the sorrow of our son’s sudden death, I thank God that we have been led to and accepted by the church. Lately, my daughter and I have been praying every day for our family and friends. I am also praying especially for my husband and daughter so that their sorrow will be comforted soon.
Saitama S. O.
Praises and Thanksgiving for All
Lately, I have noticed that God has been changing me slowly but surely. Until lately, I have been only thinking of myself and praying for only myself, but little by little, I have begun to think of others and I have begun to have the desire to pray for others also. I do not consider myself a smart person, but I praise God for that also. If I were a smart person who was more competent, I think I might have become proud, relying on my own strengths instead of on God. Whenever I have any problems, I am making it a habit to first pray about it. When times get difficult and I get depressed, I look to Him and praise Him. Then strangely, the situation doesn’t seem as bad. It is as if God is telling me, fear not, for I am with you.” It is a very comforting experience.
Osaka E. W.
