It has been such a blessing to read testimonies posted by some as to how they came to faith in Christ. It never ceases to amaze me how God has just the right means at just the right time. His Ways are Perfect!

I was on my way back to Pineville from Shreveport, Louisiana, many years ago where I had been visiting a dear friend. To say that I was “inebriated” would have been a gross understatement. Though my friend had remonstrated with me about my condition (which a truly good friend will always do in such a situation), my mind was made up that I was going to start my drive back in the middle of the night. I do not remember that trip at all, except for one terrifying event. I opened my eyes in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where I had evidently driven into a busy intersection and stopped. From the driver’s window I saw two HUGE headlights and heard the sound of a big trucks air horn. The next thing I remember is waking up in my bed the next morning. I do not know how God delivered me from death or serious injury. My only explanation is that “Somebody Prayed!”

Even though I attended a Christian college, because of the high quality of the music education available there, it was obvious that there were many non-Christians and “nominal” Christians attending there for various reasons. Most of us were able to “hide” our clandestine activities, even though they were “forbidden” by school policy. One night a friend brought in some weed for us to smoke. He got it from a “different” source than he had normally contacted. The dope we smoked that night was certainly “laced” with some other substance, and I did not know it. When I got back to my room I was still high. But it was a “different” kind of high than I was familiar with. I sensed a spiritual entity reaching out to me. Although I did not understand then all that I know now, I knew this entity was wanting to talk to me, and that all I had to do was give permission. I was terrified! I seemed to know that if I gave permission, that there would be temporal and “fleshly” benefits that would result if I simply surrendered. I knew this was an evil force. I had been raised in church, and had been taught that the devil was a personal entity, although I was not certain that I believed it until that night. In fearful desperation I cried out to the God I had heard about in Sunday School. “Please God, if you are there, deliver me from this thing and I will NEVER smoke weed again!” The next thing I knew, I was waking up in my bed the next morning and the evil entity was gone. Indeed, I never smoked “wacky-backy” again! How was I delivered despite my ignorance and rebellion? How did God’s Mercy break through the barriers I had erected? My only explanation, besides the fact that He is indeed God, is that “Somebody Prayed!”

It was September 30, 1975, at three o’clock in the afternoon. Classes were over for the day and I was relaxing in my dormitory room. Several devout Christian students, thankfully now, seem to have made this “heathen” boy their pet project. Mike Courtney and Bill Britt were two that “witnessed” to me on many occasions concerning my need to give my life to Jesus Christ. Though I don’t recall exactly whom it was, I seem to remember threatening to punch one of them if they didn’t quit trying to “get me saved.” Of course, they didn’t quit! But that seemed far away as I reclined on my bed on that fall afternoon. I don’t remember what I was doing or thinking, but it most assuredly had nothing to do with God or spiritual realities. Suddenly “something” holy invaded my room. I did not recognize what it was then, but looking back, it was the Manifested Presence of God. As His overwhelming Glory permeated my room, I found myself on my knees beside my “rack,” calling out to Jesus for forgiveness of my sins. At that moment, I was Born Again! Why would God single me out for such an encounter, when I was running as fast as I could go away from Him? My only explanation, besides His Mercy, is that “Somebody Prayed!”

When you pray in faith and in the Spirit, things happen that are beyond the scope of your understanding. Don’t ever stop praying. Don’t ever stop believing. And don’t ever stop trusting in the Kingdom Purpose of Almighty God! Be Blessed!