God Blessed Me With A
HEART ATTACK
by Richard G. Dunwoody
began. I have a new weight, necessitating a new or greatly altered circulatory system. A new diet, new rules of rest and exercise, new rules for work. It seems like a rebirth to physical life. “ Teach me how to live,” I prayed. “ Do the molding while my heart is tender and I feel my weakness. Teach me what I ought to know — how to work, walk, talk, preach, sing, play, exercise, eat, sleep, breathe, to yield Thee body and soul. Be Lord of my life.” Lessons hard to learn are sweet to know. In weighty matters it is always good to wait upon God. Also to count nothing too light to bring before the mercy seat. My bucket of self-confidence and earthly know-how was emptied by pain and sickness. Now I began draw ing from His well. “ Saviour,” I prayed, “be my Pastor, my Shepherd, my Physician, my Captain, my Teacher, my Master and Lord, my God, my Life. Be Alpha and Omega, my Psychiatrist, my Peace, my Hope, my A ll.” Oh, my soul, be all for Christ since He is all for thee. Human life is a constant want. Therefore, it ought also to be a constant prayer. Prayer is vehement sighing — turned heavenward. We ought always to pray when in a praying mood, for it would be sinful to miss so fair an opportunity. Also, when not in a praying mood, for it is dangerous to remain in so unhealthy a condition. Prayer is as suitable for any spot on earth as praise is suitable for any place in heav en. God is where He was. Pray! He will hear your re quests. Are you discouraged? Pray! It will comfort you. Are you peaceful? Pray! It will confirm you. Are you tempted? Pray! It will uphold you. Are you fallen? Pray! It will uplift you. — Mason He who gives before we ask will give when we ask. The spontaneous bounty of God should be a great incentive to believing prayer. “He who gives thee Christ will not deny thee a crust.” “He that spared not His own Son . . . how shall He not with Him freely give us all things?” He who has God has all. He who lives in God will never be weary of living. He who inspires prayer will send the answers. After the second month of convalescing, I prayed in this vein — “ Let me live the normal life span, Lord, continued on next page
D u r in g th e first few days in the hospital, I was so weak I couldn’t even pray. All I could say was “ Father” — “ Jesus.” But He knew. He can read lips that cannot make sounds or form words. Sighs are a celestial brogue, tears are a Canaanitish idiom, groans are a heavenly language that God understands. Prayer— unuttered or expressed—is the slender nerve that movs the muscle of Omnipotence on our behalf. Theodore Fer ris said, “ Before God makes a move, He take into con sideration alLthe facts, and one of the facts is your de sire.” —Maltie D. Babcock By prayer prevail if strength should fail. If God did not mean to hear us, He would not bid us pray. There is an antiphonal between our prayers and God’s an swer. Our desire is matched by His yearning to give. If God has helped you, help your neighbor. He did help me. Now I desire to help my disheartened neighbors. Later, as strength increased, I began to pray, “ Lord, put a seal of healing^ a guard of protection around my heart. He&l the infarction, dilate the coronary arteries, cleanse the blood stream, strengthen the whole circula tory system.” It’s a quiet place in the secret place. Just four are there — the Holy Three and thee! In the secret place I rested and prayed, prayed and rested. Prayer comes free and easy and prevails once we get through to His presence. ‘“ Gentle Physician,” I petitioned, “ Heart Specialist Supreme, mend the broken heart. Reach down -with Thy steady hand and loving fingers, and put the gaping wounds of the spirit .together. Bathe my heart, my soul in the sunshine of Thy love and mercy, grace and strength. Be the attending physician — never leave the room or my bedside. Minister healing, peace, con fidence, courage, trust, and strength.” A radical change in living takes place after a serious illness. Not like a change in politics, from a Democrat to a Republican or vice versa; or a change in religion from Hindu to Buddhist or vice versa. It approximates more a change in worlds! Just like conversion to Christ! Life is altogether new now since the adventure in trust Speak thou to Him for He heareth, And spirit with spirit will meet! Nearer is He than breathing, Nearer than hands or feet.
THE KING 'S BUSINESS
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