Keeping the faith and seeing results

“When we in prayer seek only the glorification of the name of God,

then we are in complete harmony with the spirit of prayer. Then our

hearts are at rest both while we pray and after we have prayed. Then

we can wait for the Lord.”

-- O. HALLESBY

Last month, I wrote a column about a little boy named Max who

sustained serious injuries after falling from a second-story window.

My husband and I know the family and received the terrible call the

night of the accident.

We rushed to the hospital that night to join a waiting room full

of family and friends and we joined with them in prayer for Max and

all of his family.

One of the many things that amazed me that night is how strong his

parents’ faith was, even before knowing whether Max would survive the

brain surgery, or what kind of shape he would be in if he did. They

prayed for total healing if it was God’s will, but even before that,

they prayed that God would be glorified in the entire situation. They

also prayed that other lives would be changed and impacted by the

situation.

I can tell you now, that more has happened than I can fathom, and

indeed God deserves the glory.

Many people have referred to the whole situation as the “Max

Miracle.” The support from their family, friends, church, school,

neighborhood and community has been amazing. They’ve also received

help, prayers and encouragement from people they don’t know in this

country as well as from countries around the world. Max is on

countless prayer chains in more countries than any of us know. The

family has received e-mails and cards from Africa, Egypt, India and

Mexico. If you are reading this and I failed to mention you or your

country, please forgive the oversight.

The family thanks all of you for the prayers and the incredible

support. Many of us have found that the situation has caused us all

to pray more, not only for Max, but for others, too. I’ve received

many calls and e-mails about Max. One family member named Mary called

from Oregon to share some of the ways she has been affected by Max.

“I can’t ever remember praying for anything or anyone so

fervently,” she said. “When I pray for Max, it reminds me to pray

more for others, too, and our children are experiencing the same

thing.

“It’s played a significant spiritual impact on us. It’s truly

deepening our intimacy with God,” she said. “The miracles seem to be

happily piling up on top of one another. It’s been incredible to see

so many people’s faith strengthened through this. We’re so thankful

for the ways God is providing, and to see such specific prayers

answered.

“Until we get to heaven we won’t know all that God is and has done

through this one small boy,” she said. “Knowing so many people are

going through this together makes it feel like we are one large

extended family.”

I visit Max as often as possible. His attitude is incredible, his

feeding tube has been removed and he can eat and drink on his own.

Thank you again for all your prayers. May we all thank God more, pray

more and try to glorify him in all we do.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.