Sep 29, 2021 Never too Late to Pray

It was an ordinary day when Ebe the town drunk went stumbling through the barangay. WhenÑBAM!Ña bright flash of light struck and suddenly there was a searing pain on his neck! Blood gushed out as he grasped his neck. Ebe was losing huge amounts of blood. He couldn’t move his head. In that moment of terror, Ebe tried to shout, but only a gurgle came. He called out to the Lord in his mind, Lord, please, do I still have a chance to live? Will you save me from this? Is there salvation for me?

In that moment, Ebe’s life flashed before his eyes. He saw how his addiction had destroyed his life, and been the heartache of his entire family. Ebe was almost constantly drunk from his youth, and when he wasn’t, he was angryÑcriticizing and badgering anyone he encountered. His alcoholism drove him to stealing. It got him in trouble and prison many times. Addiction had demoralized him to a shell of a man who had no sense of right and wrong, no purpose, no hope.

As Ebe fell to the ground bleeding out, people froze in horror. They did nothing to help, shocked, stunned. Ebe’s last thought before losing consciousness was, “Lord please help!”

Thankfully, some of Ebe’s family came to his rescue. When they got to the hospital, Ebe already looked dead. The staff did all they could for him, but told his family the outlook was grim. That night, his family prayed listening to Ebe’s heartbeat beep faintly, intermittently, on the monitor.

A few days later, Ebe’s consciousness returned. Even the doctors and nurses were surprised that he survived. It was a miracle that Ebe lived, and from that moment he resolved to seek the Lord.

Elder Jun Sending and his wife, soon learned about Ebe’s interest in God and invited him to the Wednesday night prayer meetings. Since Ebe was searching for God, he felt inspired to go. Ebe was particularly touched by Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Ebe was intrigued by the meeting and left feeling convicted by the love and power of God over his life. He decided to continue going to the meetings.

Ebe was one of the many souls that wholeheartedly accepted Jesus as their personal savior through baptism. After his new birth in Christ, he declared he was happy to forsake his old ways completely.

A changed heart is truly the work of God and a living testimony. Ebe, who was once the town drunkard, is now known as a peacemaker, generous, patient, and a man under the control of God.

Deciding to pursue an honest living in farming, Ebe has planted crops such as bananas, corn, and other vegetables. While this does not provide a regular source of income, Ebe has never lacked food to eat. With his small earnings, he has gladly contributed to the work of the church. He has witnessed how God blesses when you give, providing for both physical and spiritual needs.

Since his baptism, Ebe is now taking part in sharing God’s word to the people around him and already he has helped some people accept Jesus. Ebe’s greatest hope and dream is to have his whole family serve God and be in the true remnant church.

Please pray for believers around the world as they reach out to others struggling with addiction and hardships.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

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