In June 1982, I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor that had attacked my right optic nerve, causing complete blindness in that eye. The tumor was growing toward the left optic nerve, and I was at risk of losing my eyesight completely. Surgery was recommended, but it would mean opening my skull from ear to ear and lifting the brain to allow access to the tumor. The surgery was very risky.

The presiding elder of my branch called for a 24-hour prayer chain the day before my surgery. Each member signed up for different times, covering every minute of the 24 hours. Some signed up for 30 minutes, some for 15 minutes, etc., and every minute was covered throughout the day and night. I felt peace along with God’s presence that Friday morning of surgery, knowing the procedure required seven to eight hours.

After surgery, I went into a coma during that weekend. On Sunday morning, a CT scan showed one vein was bleeding, pushing the brain to one side — it was very swollen. The craniotomy had to be performed again, immediately!

During the day, a few surgeons reviewed the scan and felt they could not perform the surgery. As the day passed, I was facing more risks. By evening, another neurosurgeon came on duty, one who had assisted with my surgery on Friday. He knew how to reach the bleeding vein, so he performed the second surgery.

I woke up on Monday, not knowing of the complications. Was this a miracle? You bet! My situation was very critical. I could have died of internal bleeding of the brain or received brain damage. Thank God for hearing the prayers that were offered every minute of the 24 hours prior to the surgery.

With this blessed event as a memory, I am delighted that my current branch has decided to undertake an effort in which an entire month will be dedicated to continued perpetual prayer. Each member has signed up for a 24-hour period of praying, reading scriptures, listening to music, and meditation. Every minute of the month will be covered by the members — at the end of each 24-hour period, a phone call will be made to the next member to begin the next 24-hour period. Thus, the prayer torch will continue every minute of the month.

There are many needs in our branch and throughout the church. We will be praying for people afflicted with cancer, people seeking employment, people struggling financially and even living in shelters, people who need spiritual strength and to have their spirit renewed, widows who feel alone, etc.

There are many examples in the scriptures of Jesus praying through the night. We are told to pray without ceasing. We will be keeping the torch burning with prayers. We look forward to the end of the month to see how He has answered our prayers!

How Has God Answered Your Prayers?

Do you have a big answered prayer in your past that you’d like to share on a future Miracle Monday? We’d love to hear about it.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.