The Power of Prayer

Let me share with you another story from my high school buddy who remains to be a dear friend until now about giving birth and the power of prayer. This is a continuation of my story last week, where the following stories came to be during a get together with my two friends from high school.

This friend of mine currently works in one of the universities in the city as administrative personnel. She shared to us that right after she gave birth to her first born son through normal delivery, she then was unconscious and was rush to the ICU due to complications. It was found out that she has HELLP Syndrome (HELLP Syndrome is a life-threatening pregnancy complication usually considered to be a variant of preeclampsia. Both conditions usually occur during the later stages of pregnancy, or sometimes after childbirth – preeclampsia.org). For two days, my friend knew nothing about what was going on. Her husband, other family members and friends were so worried but through prayers she was able to recover and survived the ordeal.

Prior to being discharge from the hospital my friend and her husband were discouraged by her doctor to have another child so as not to repeat what happened to her. Furthermore, the doctor told them that the next time she would give birth could be fatal and would endanger her life. They took the advice by heart and went home to take care of their baby.

For months, they were filled with joy and then the inevitable happened. Before their son turns one year old they found out that my friend is pregnant again. Fear crept into my friend but armed with prayers and her devotion to the Our Mother of Perpetual Help she was able to go through with her pregnancy. She was able to deliver another healthy baby boy safely with no complications. Indeed, through Mama Mary’s intervention God answers prayers.

On another note, here’s my own story about the miracle of giving birth to my eldest daughter. It was September 1, 1999 early afternoon, my ninth month of pregnancy and my scheduled pre-natal check-up. I was two weeks away from my scheduled delivery. During the check up, my doctor told me that she could not hear the heart beat of my baby. She then asked me to undergo an ultrasound test to another doctor’s clinic. I was so worried on my way to the other doctor, I was all alone for I don’t want to worry my husband. All I could do that time was to keep on hoping and praying that all will be well.

During the ultrasound test, the doctor pointed out to me in the monitor that there is no movement from the baby and that there is no heartbeat. She asked me to have a meal and returned afterwards so that she could do another test. She narrated to me that usually after eating a meal, surely the baby will have movements. After eating a light meal, I returned to the doctor who then performed another ultrasound test. Still my baby has no movement and heartbeat. So the doctor after consulting with my OB told me that I have to go to the hospital immediately and have to deliver my baby regardless whether she has life or not via caesarean method.

It was already evening as I went to the hospital and prior to admission, I called my husband and told him everything that happened. He then, reassured me that all will be okay and that he will be there in the hospital immediately. After my husband arrived, I was admitted immediately and was put on the delivery room with other women waiting to give birth. The attending nurse put a fetal monitor in my belly and told me that after an hour if the baby is still not moving my doctor will undergo the caesarean method on me. As I lay on my bed, my eyes was fixed on the crucifix that was in the room where I was asking God to do a miracle for I don’t want to disappoint my husband for we were waiting for our baby to make us a complete family. I also keep on talking to my baby that she should move so that we could be together and be happy. After a while, the nurse check the fetal monitor and she told me that there is a slight movement from my baby and that there is already a heartbeat. I thanked God and was overjoyed. Then, eventually a miracle happened I have contractions and delivered a healthy baby girl in the dawn of September 2, 1999 through normal delivery. Now, my baby who is the eldest will be graduating from Senior High School and is a loving and sensible 18 year old lady.

Indeed, there is power in prayer as God answers, miracle happens. May we be reminded on what Charles Spurgeon said about prayer…”The power of prayer can never be overrated. They who cannot serve God by preaching need not regret. If a man can but pray he can do anything. He who knows how to overcome with God in prayer has Heaven and earth at his disposal.” So, let us surrender to God all our cares through prayer and with the intercession of the Blessed Mother Mary all will be alright.

“Those who pray from the heart do not think about the prayer they are saying, but about the God to whom they pray.” – Saint Francis De Sales