Moved to Prayer

On some very notable occasions , by the grace of God, I have been moved to prayer. This is nothing of myself, it is all of Christ, He is "the Father of compassions." (New Translation J.N.D.) These seasons are notable because they remain upon my heart after long years. I thoroughly believe that every child of God can recall similar situations in their "walk, their manner of life."

This recalling of past experiences that thrust their way into my naturally cold, hard heart, was stimulated just yesterday by a situation determined the Lord I have no doubt.

If you are aware to any degree of the sufferings of my only son, Adam, you will be able to appreciate more intelligently. Adam is paraplegic having suffered a spinal stroke in April 2015. He was for some months quadriplegic, but mercifully the Lord answered prayer and Adam slowly regained movement in his left side. But he remains completely paralysed down his left hand side. He cannot stand, wash or dress himself; indeed he cannot get out of bed without the assistance of a Carer using a sliding board to help with the "transfer." There are numerous other effects which are not necessary for me to catalogue at present; but he has further complications with the onset of kidney stones in the last two years. He has had 13 operations in connection with this condition, and is scheduled to have another on January 6th, if the Lord will. 

I have included these details to convey the nature of my perplexity in regard to his Care Package costs. (I hasten to add these costs are met by the local Council.) But now with the upheaval in the U.K.'s Benefit Policy I have to fill in complex forms annually. The form for his care funding was rendered so difficult I needed help. And so I sought the Throne of Grace. 

I feel that my movement was directed divinely, and my wife and I took Adam to the Civic Centre to seek professional help. In  the Centre there are six "positions" which are able to be manned by trained staff. Four positions were in operation, which soon became five. We did not have to wait for many minutes before we were called over to explain our difficulty. I will not speak at great length regarding this interview, but I must tell you how the Lord undertook. 

Adam and I met with the most lovely, sympathetic, and compassionate lady that one could ever wish to meet. She talked with us in the tenderest of tones, asking politely about Adam's condition, and dreadful experience. And to our amazement told us of her father's present health condition, undergoing palliative care. He had suffered a stroke which had compressed his spinal chord rendering him paralysed. He is also in stage four of a cancer, and she herself is trying to bypass the bureaucracy hindering her receiving help for the cost of "end-of-life care" for him, in a home. 

She completed all that was necessary for our claim, and I was able to destroy my partially completed form as redundant. She told us warmly how much she had enjoyed meeting us, and wished us "Happy New Year." In wishing us well she "crossed her fingers" in a gesture of uncertain hope, and I felt it was unlikely that she was the Lord's. Immediately I looked up to heaven to ask that our loving God would "in His goodness lead her to repentance," and save her soul for all eternity. 

That was for me the remarkable impression that this lovely lady had made upon my soul. And it is not possible to convey to you my great relief and wonderment at such an answer to prayer regarding the lifting of that burden of administration that had weighed on my mind for weeks.

I am not sure that this encounter exactly fits the heading of this paper, but it was the catalyst leading to my musing upon past experiences of "heart-movement" generated by the Holy Spirit in such a heart as mine. (Only proving it must surely be the experience of all who love the Lord Jesus. It would be precious to hear of these moments in the lives of His won.) 

Very briefly then: a good number of years ago , Bernice and I were on holiday in Italy, and enjoyed an excursion to Milan. I am not sure if this was the first or second occasion. But we entered the cathedral, with its external architecture  a work of expert craftsmanship, and its interior replete with idols and icons, reminiscent of ancient Athens in Paul's day. It felt cold and alien to my soul. But I was drawn to watch a young man, in his late twenties, early thirties I would imagine. He was in a state of frantic earnestness, and moved slowly form one idol to the next, silently imploring in obvious deep distress of soul. I was certain at hat moment his sins were weighing heavily on him and he could find no relief. He completed his bowing before each and every idol and left the Cathedral as haunted as when he first came in. I was overwhelmed and longed to chase after him, but it was not possible, and if it had been I did not know more than a couple of Italian words. I have never forgotten him, or the hopelessness and horror of Romanism. I continue to hold him in my heart and seek his salvation.

I met an eastern European lady selling the "Big Issue" in a car park. She was heavily pregnant, and I gave her a little cash; her gratefulness far exceeded my meagre gift to her. She ever remains upon my heart. and in my prayers.

Around about ten years ago I saw a young man in a super-market,; he had no feet and fingers missing from both hands, but he was walking and shopping! It was amazing and heart-breaking at the same time. He too lodges in my affections and prayers.

Finally, one Lord's Day we set out to Break Bread and as we drove up our own road we espied a tramp. There was no doubt that he was "genuine;" apart from his dishevelled appearance, he had a face much weather-beaten. I wanted to stop and invite him to our house for dinner, but our Lord's invitation must prevail. I prayed for him as we continued on our way, and hoped I might see him again, bu talas it was never to be. I love him in the Lord, and trust that the Saviour might go after him and arrest him with His love.

May the Lord give me and all His loved ones, hearts of compassion and sympathy in some measure like unto His own.