Dearly beloved in Christ,
I greet you in the sweet name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
I remembered what happened long, long ago. I used to pray with fasting in Jebathoni Office with those who worked with me every Wednesday from morning till 3 pm. One Wednesday I had a meeting in Madurai at 6:30 pm. It was the time when the first floor of my house was being built to accommodate our office. That day they were removing the scaffolding supports for the ceiling. So we finished the prayer meeting by 2:30 pm. Then I went upstairs to see the part of the house being built. All the wooden pieces were lying scattered all over the place. I did not notice the nail on a wooden piece, but placed my foot on it. There was a rusted 1.5” nail protruding out. It pierced my sole. I could not remove it as it went deep. I called for the help of my eldest son to remove it. As he removed it, a lot of blood spouted out. Using cotton and cloth, they made a huge bandage to stop the flow of blood. Severe pain on one side and fear of a rusted nail haunted me. I did not know what to do. There was little time left. No time to see a doctor. I thought that it was wrong to cut short the time for prayer. I pleaded with the Lord to forgive me. In those days, I had no vehicle for travel. I should go only by bus. That day there was heavy rush in buses. I had to stand throughout the journey. Meeting took place that evening. At the end of the meeting, I had to pray for people. To go back, I had to travel by bus. Again, I had to stand. By the grace of the Lord, the pain disappeared and no harm was done.
Dear child of God, do not lessen the time you devote to prayer. In case you do it, there would be miserable happenings. Some do not give proper time for prayer. Let us devote more time for prayer. Then the Lord would bless us. He would give the grace given to Nicodemus to pray. As you pray and pray, you will be filled with the Spirit of Prayer. No evil shall come near you. He will protect you and lead you. No defeats or sorrows due to lack of prayer can overpower you.
May the Lord bless us!
Bro. C. Ebenezer Paul.