Does God answer prayers?

Six years ago, our family experienced a very tough moment in our life. My nephew was hospitalized and was in critical condition because of Cerebral Hypoxia and Pneumonia. He was just two years old, during that time, I could not imagine looking at him intubated with his frail body receiving high doses of medicines. The situation caused my sister to almost give up and lose hope. She was financially, physically, and emotionally distressed because even before that incident my nephew was already in and out of the hospital several times.

The next seventy-two hours after admission was very crucial to the life of my nephew. We were perplexed and constrained by our fear. However, our parents constantly reminded us and encouraged us to pray, to put our faith in God, and trust in His providence. Indeed, this challenging time steered us to turn to the One who could surely help us, the only One who could bring healing to my nephew, no one else but God.

By God’s grace, the two-year-old warrior survived. God answered our prayers. Truly, nothing is impossible for Him. Now he is seven years old, and he grew up to be a very energetic child. Though he had a delay in brain development, his presence in our family is a testament of God’s love and mercy and proves that faith heals and saves. Our prayers healed my nephew. Prayer also brought us to a more intimate relationship with God and intensified our faith in Him.

Like the desperate man and woman in the Gospel, the Lord granted their prayers because of their humility and faith. Their stories inspired me to be humble enough to accept and surrender the things that are beyond my capacity to the Lord. I believe that we will experience personal healing, likewise the healing of this world, at the proper time if we remain faithful to the very end.

By: Roldan B. Baliano

Today’s Gospel

MT 9:18-26

While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward,
knelt down before him, and said,
“My daughter has just died.
But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.
A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him
and touched the tassel on his cloak.
She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
“Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.”
And from that hour the woman was cured.
When Jesus arrived at the official’s house
and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion,
he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.”
And they ridiculed him.
When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand,
and the little girl arose.
And news of this spread throughout all that land.