The Power of Group Prayers

What a hectic week it has been for both the Goh and Ng families. For a start, it has been 2 weeks since we lived together under the same roof and more or less adjusted to one another's different schedules. It has been a challenge indeed for the Gohs especially, since it took them such a short time to get adjusted to a new environment, new neighbourhood, and get to know new neighbours.

Then came Eileen's precious jewel Charis. Jimmy had to be dropped off at our combined home for babysitting while Timothy and Eileen went to the hospital to await for the baby's arrival. The home turned into a mini creche overnight. Not only did we have 5 kids between the two families plus Jimmy, we also had 2 neighbours' kids running in and out of our house for companionship.

A breather came on Thursday when Jimmy had gone home with Tim the evening before and Soon Eng was not working. Together we went off to Ikea and Giant, though it was obvious that Lay Choo's mind was far from enjoying the time off. She was busy calling various hospitals to check if they would take in a walk-in patient for the neurosurgical department. Only SGH would take walk-in cases, and all was fixed for her dad to come to Singapore from Pontian on 2 Jul for the appointment. Then a sudden call from Pontian upset all the plans. Lay Choo's dad called to say he could not walk all of a sudden and needed to come to see a doctor immediately. That very evening he was sent to Singapore by the combined efforts of his two son-in-laws in a relay trip, from Pontian to Woodlands custom, then from Woodlands to TTSH A&E.

In a way, it was merciful of God to inflict the inability to walk on Uncle Liow all of a sudden. TTSH is reputed for its success in neuroscience, and it is a better choice than SGH. If not for the sudden episode, it would have been SGH that Uncle Liow visited next week. As it turned out in the CT scan on Friday, there were two blood clots in his brain and it could have easily caused him to be in coma. A surgery was immediately arranged for Saturday. Thanks to all your prayers and concern, the surgery went well, and when Lay Choo and Soon Eng left the hospital this evening, Uncle Liow was already awake from his anaesthesia and could talk and recognise Lay Choo. What a relief for the family!

I really believe in the power of group prayers. Whenever I'm in need, I would rally all those I know in the group as well as others close to me to pray pray pray, and so far I have had my prayers answered in this way. God is indeed faithful and merciful. Have faith in Him to deliver and deliver He will. Especially when a whole group of disciples gather together to petition to Him. What would it take to lose faith in Him once you've seen the miracles He delivers? I wonder why some Christians could fall away.

Please continue to pray for Lay Choo and her family as her dad is recovering post-surgery and her mum has been staying overnight in the hospital for 2 consecutive nights. She is already 71yo, pray that God will give her the strength to get through this difficult and trying time.

Amen.