Don’t Leave Home Without It

I’m reading a book called Fearless Love in the Midst of Terror, by David Witt and Mujahid El Masih, set in a Muslim country where hundreds of people are coming to faith every month. And there's this story about a man named Paul. Fitting name.

One day Paul was sitting at his desk when a gunman burst into the office. Ran straight at him, gun in hand. Then something stopped him. He screamed and fled.

Ten minutes later Paul’s phone rang. It was the gunman, shaken. He told Paul he had been hired by a local imam to kill him for the equivalent of $1,000, already had $500 in his pocket when he walked in. But the moment he reached Paul, his arm went paralyzed. He couldn’t lift the gun. Still couldn’t raise it while they were on the phone.

He wanted to know if Paul was some kind of holy man.

Paul prayed for him. The arm was restored on the spot. Then Paul shared the gospel. That gunman is a Christian today and a leader in his church.

Paul has experienced great trials and difficulties in his life, but I find him to be a man of extreme humility, joy, faith, and hope. He has an indestructible attitude.

Most of us are fine without that level of excitement, honestly. But this story illustrates something we have to reckon with. How much do we actually believe the word of God is true, if we were to find ourselves in a position like that? The delivering power of Almighty God is there for us, no matter what crisis we may face. I like to pray Psalm 91 over myself, my family, and everything my life is about.

That’s a pretty great basis for prayer, don’t you think? Don’t leave home without it.