
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (NASB)
Have you noticed how cynical our world has become? In the twenty first Century there are no certainties, everything is open to question including moral standards. The questioning of Christianity is not new, but it has grown in volume and vehemence. Of the many aspects of Christianity one of the most mocked is the value of prayer. If you ever needed evidence of this just mention prayer in any public conversation, and watch the incredulous looks you receive. Despite this, I believe that the catalogue of answered prayers (plural!) in our life of faith is the most profound evidence of the value of prayer. Let me provide just two examples.
Both examples of answered prayer come from a time when I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. The first came when we heard the news in Queen Margaret Hospital Dunfermline, my wife and I were sat in a side room with our Pastor trying to take the news in. After a wee while our Pastor suggested we should pray, just then a Social Worker appeared to see if there was anything that could be done to help. This lady turned out to be a believer from Kinross, who then joined us in our prayer time. We all prayed with passion surrendering the situation to God’s Glory, that He would use it for His will. Afterwards we sat looking at each other in silence, we all agreed it was a blessed time of prayer and had felt His presence in that wee room. The evidence for His answering those prayers came over a long period of time, as many situations arose to share the story and most importantly the Gospel Good News with many people. He took the offering surrendered to Him and turned it into something beautiful for His Kingdom. And this prayer is still being answered today!
The second example is one of those situations. As I was recovering from brain surgery I was trying to regain some strength and stamina, I did this by going for walks from the ward to the shop and/or cafeteria much to the displeasure of the nurses. I had met folk and had conversations about eternal matters in earlier walks, thus I had started praying before leaving my bedside asking God to guide my steps and meetings. One day on a walk I felt drawn to an individual who looked upset by the shop, I approached them asking if they were okay. They told me through reddened eyes that they had just heard the news their loved one had a brain tumour – this was not a coincidence…it was a God-incidence! I listened to them and offered to pray for them, which they were grateful for. I never met them again, but my job was done. I have no doubt in my mind that many such stories provide irrefutable evidence for the power of God in prayer.
Dear reader, do you believe in the power of Almighty God in prayer? He delights in hearing and answering our prayers; the big ones and the wee ones too. Finally, a specific question – do you pray for Divine Appointments in your day? Try it brethren, it is exhilarating!

That was a wonderful testimony, how the Lord directed you to someone that you could relate to their pain. I am pretty confident that your prayer was full of compassion and sincerity, as you knew what the person was going through. Even in our infirmities, we still have a purpose in God’s eyes. God will always use us no matter where we are in life.
Great testimony, Alan. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for your valuable encouragement brother, God bless you.
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Thanks Alan for your encouraging post which has come at just the right time. My best friend was diagnosed with cancer this week and we are meeting to pray together. Your testimony has greatly encouraged me today. Surrendering the situation to God for His Will and His glory. Amen 🙏
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Thank you Nicola, I will add my prayers to those for your friend today. I may not know them but our Sovereign God does!
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Amen 🙏 He does indeed. Bless you.
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Awesome stuff! Prayer is an unpopular subject inside churches too, sadly…so many arranged prayer meetings that people don’t attend…
Prayer works and is a wonderful weapon for our soul, and realigning our hearts to that of our Father.
Andy B
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You are absolutely right Andy; prayer is like the medicine our mum used to give us which tasted funny but, it worked. So many folk avoid it like they avoided mum’s medicine, but they miss out on the effectiveness of prayer.
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Yes!
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Beautiful testimonies and encouragement here! Thank you for the wonderful reminder that is perfect timing for my husband & myself now too.
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Thank you Bettie, God bless you both.
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Another excellent post here Alan! God has truly blessed you with an amazing gift to write, and is using that gift to bless money! He is truly so very good to answer our prayers!
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Thank you brother for your kind words, God bless you and your family today.
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Beautiful testimony to the grace and goodness of God. What a privilege to carry everything to Him in prayer! Blessings today!
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Thank you! All the glory belongs to our Almighty Father.
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Alan, for me, this is your finest blog ever: so beautifully written and honest. As your testimony shows, God definitely brings good out of everything, however dark life feels, and you are so good at making the most of each God-given-opportunity to comfort, share, and help. I’m proud to be your friend XXXXXX
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Isn’t our Father’s Compassion and timing perfect? For me today this is seen in your loving comments of encouragement Ruth; at a time when I am extremely tired and struggling. Thank you and God bless you abundantly tonight sister.
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“God-incidence”. I love it, brother! I’ve seen many such divine appointments in my life as a follower of Christ. Blessings.
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Thank you David, may our Father bless you richly.
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I need to pray more of daily divine appointments!
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I think we all do Jim, may He guide and bless you today.
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True
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Great testimony and post Alan. As you mentioned, God desires for us to cast our cares upon Him. I was reminded of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – pray continually. It’s straight forward and to the point. There is power in prayer as well as comfort; even a non-believer will let us pray for them in their darkest hour. Thanks for sharing your story and have a blessed day Alan!
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Thank you Conrad. 1 Thess.5:17 is one of my favourites; it is so direct as you say so well. It points to a life of prayer, in all circumstances. God bless you brother.
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Divine appointments, I like that. Great and powerful testimony you shared. Prayer is powerful and our Sovereign God doesn’t need eloquent words, He knows what’s in our heart even before we ask Him. Thank you Alan. I start praying for divine appointments.
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Thank you Crissy for your encouragement, I pray that He will give you Divine appointments to share His love with others.
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Thank you brother .
Have a blessed weekend
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Thank you for sharing both these powerful examples of answered prayer. I am slowly reading my way through your posts linked in “Brain Tumour Stories.” They (this one included) bring to mind the words of Joseph in Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” I can’t help but marvel at the many lives you touched and continue to touch for Christ as a result of that tumor.
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Thank you Beth for reading my posts. I struggle a bit with writing these tumour stories, but I can only say I do it to honour God. His greatness is portrayed miraculously through weakness, only a living Almighty God could achieve this. To touch as many souls as possible has been my goal – to honour God. I hope someday in Heaven to meet those helped by my service to God.
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Thank you dear brother. What a beautiful and encouraging post.
You inspire me to keep on writing what I believe will be for others after I have gone home. Answered prayer Indeed.! A little six year old girl prayed a prayer to a God she did not really know. Shafts of Gold, http://www.shafts,ofgold,com (brief updates as I go] is the story of His Answer to me through the hills and valleys of my life. I am amazed as I write and remember. Later years, breast cancer, Radium, womb cancer. Operations. An implanted heart monitor, but ever God in and through it ALL.
He answers prayers but often not the way we thought He would. Your posts are encouraging and nurturing. ,
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Your own faithfulness and joy in the Lord is encouraging, despite the trials of your life. I pray that He will continue to provide and guide you each day as you write for Him.
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Awesome testimony there. I have a friend who is going through this very thing now and God is answering prayer in this situation in miraculous ways. Good point on praying for Divine Appointments. I need to do that more often, thank you for that reminder.
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Thank you Chrystal, may our Father God provide for and guide both you and your friend.
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Thank you Crissy for passing this post on further. I pray that it will bless those who see it for the first time, encouraging them in prayer.
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This is a beautiful post, Alan! I love the idea of praying for divine appointments. This is so true! I love how you even though this situation is not easy, you seek to praise and glorify God through it all! What a gift! What an amazing testimony! Every opportunity can be a God opportunity if we will allow it. I am so thankful for your presence here on WordPress. I am thankful for your heart for prayer. Prayer genuinely changes things, even if not the situation itself definitely our perspective. So thankful for you and Susan. Praying for God to use you and your writings to glorify Him! Is your grandson feeling better?
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Thankyou for your encouraging comments Mandy. Forgive me for not getting to it until evening time; we were over in Ballingry tending my granparents and mums grave, what a job that was.
Prayer is the lifeblood, indeed the heartbeat of Christian life. The older I get the more I realise the necessity of prayer and its frequency. At present I am reading (again) “The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer” which I highly commend to anyone who is serious about their prayer life. Thank you for remembering our Grandson, whatever it was only lasted about two days glory to God for answered prayers.
It has been a very hot 22 degrees here today, hence I am hiding indoors until it cools down a bit. ☀️
May Almighty God bless you and Nathan today.
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May God bless and reward you for tending to your grandparents and mom, you have a beautiful heart! Wow, that is warm for y’all! My aunt was here yesterday for a bbq and she was talking about how much she loved Scotland! I will check out that book, thank you for the recommendation!! Love and blessings to you and Susan!!
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Alan, I’m grateful that you re-posted this part of your story. I couldn’t leave a comment on the repost so did a search finding the original. This is powerful and no doubt has and will continue to touch many. May the Lord Jehovah bless and keep you.
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Hi Manette. I had a problem earlier today where I mistakenly hit the publish button on my new version of this post. It was only up two or three seconds but was read by you and one other friend. It is scheduled for proper release on Friday. Sorry for the error on my part. Thank you for your precious encouragement sister, may our Father God continue to guide and bless you.
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