Read Online The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven: A Remarkable Account of Miracles, Angels, and Life Beyond This World by Kevin Malarkey; Alex Malarkey - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Kevin Malarkey; Alex Malarkey
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are here for Alex, dear Lord,” he continued, “but now we lift his father, Kevin, before You. He is a victim of this accident too. Heal him in every way, mind and body. You are the Great Physician; place Your healing hand upon him, we pray, in Jesus’ name.”
Hillbilly Graham finished praying, placed my feet back on the floor, and said, “You’re done.”
“I beg your pardon?” I asked.
“You’re going to have no physical problems from that wreck,” he said. “God is strengthening you so you can be strong for your family.”
The Art of Prayer
I did have some soreness from the accident. I still limped a little and had that sharp pain in my neck when I turned my head just so. It’s typical to have lingering physical problems, which can last for years, from the kind of contortions a body goes through in an accident like ours. The soreness and pain in my neck didn’t vanish immediately, but an amazing thing did happen: following Hillbilly’s prayer—and to this day—I have never needed any medication or medical help of any kind for those injuries and have no residual or recurring problems.
I looked around me at those faithful friends who were gently gripping my arms and shoulders, asking God to intervene for my health. Just the day before I’d been wondering, What do these people really think about me? Here was what they thought: they loved me and wanted God’s best for me.
I felt ashamed for having doubted them. How often did I do others the injustice of assuming the worst about them? I still had my own guilt to contend with, but it was such a relief to know there were brothers and sisters in Christ who had my back, who wouldn’t judge me, and who would pray for me when it was so very difficult to pray for myself. The love they showed filled me with a fresh energy to pray for Alex.
Hillbilly Graham was not finished, however, and he had a question for everyone. “Is there anyone here who has any unconfessed sin in their hearts? We can’t approach God effectively when hiding sin in our lives. He won’t hear us. The only thing we accomplish when we pray without examining ourselves is to obstruct prayer. We need to prepare our hearts, so if there is anyone here who needs to get right with God, now is a good time to take care of it. Let’s bring those sins before God and receive the forgiveness He offers. Let’s be as pure as we possibly can before we take up the huge task of praying for this little boy. Everyone take a moment and reflect silently. First John 1:9 says, ‘If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.’ Let’s confess before God and then come together in prayer for Alex.”
There were many incredible prayer sessions during this period, but this one and Pastor Brown’s in the waiting room the night before truly stand out. There was a palpable feeling of the presence of God among us.
In prayer, we reiterated that the doctors had spoken and that we wanted God to have His say. We prayed for Alex’s brain and skull, we prayed for his breathing, for the healing of his spine, and finally that the doorway to death would be locked shut for him. We knew that Heaven awaited him someday, but we believed that God had more for him to do in this world. As usual, Hillbilly led the charge.
There was a midweek church service a week or two later, and the congregation was again praying for Alex while we kept our vigil at the hospital. Hillbilly felt something touch his soul during that prayer, and he began to weep uncontrollably. When I heard about it, I gave him a phone call.
“What is happening, Hillbilly?” I asked. “What made you cry?”
“I had an amazing sensation. Kevin, things are happening in Heaven that concern Alex. The Spirit of God is moving. I could feel it as we prayed together, and I just felt overcome with emotion.”
Science and Sovereignty
The testimony of science said that Alex was unconscious and
Hillbilly Graham finished praying, placed my feet back on the floor, and said, “You’re done.”
“I beg your pardon?” I asked.
“You’re going to have no physical problems from that wreck,” he said. “God is strengthening you so you can be strong for your family.”
The Art of Prayer
I did have some soreness from the accident. I still limped a little and had that sharp pain in my neck when I turned my head just so. It’s typical to have lingering physical problems, which can last for years, from the kind of contortions a body goes through in an accident like ours. The soreness and pain in my neck didn’t vanish immediately, but an amazing thing did happen: following Hillbilly’s prayer—and to this day—I have never needed any medication or medical help of any kind for those injuries and have no residual or recurring problems.
I looked around me at those faithful friends who were gently gripping my arms and shoulders, asking God to intervene for my health. Just the day before I’d been wondering, What do these people really think about me? Here was what they thought: they loved me and wanted God’s best for me.
I felt ashamed for having doubted them. How often did I do others the injustice of assuming the worst about them? I still had my own guilt to contend with, but it was such a relief to know there were brothers and sisters in Christ who had my back, who wouldn’t judge me, and who would pray for me when it was so very difficult to pray for myself. The love they showed filled me with a fresh energy to pray for Alex.
Hillbilly Graham was not finished, however, and he had a question for everyone. “Is there anyone here who has any unconfessed sin in their hearts? We can’t approach God effectively when hiding sin in our lives. He won’t hear us. The only thing we accomplish when we pray without examining ourselves is to obstruct prayer. We need to prepare our hearts, so if there is anyone here who needs to get right with God, now is a good time to take care of it. Let’s bring those sins before God and receive the forgiveness He offers. Let’s be as pure as we possibly can before we take up the huge task of praying for this little boy. Everyone take a moment and reflect silently. First John 1:9 says, ‘If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.’ Let’s confess before God and then come together in prayer for Alex.”
There were many incredible prayer sessions during this period, but this one and Pastor Brown’s in the waiting room the night before truly stand out. There was a palpable feeling of the presence of God among us.
In prayer, we reiterated that the doctors had spoken and that we wanted God to have His say. We prayed for Alex’s brain and skull, we prayed for his breathing, for the healing of his spine, and finally that the doorway to death would be locked shut for him. We knew that Heaven awaited him someday, but we believed that God had more for him to do in this world. As usual, Hillbilly led the charge.
There was a midweek church service a week or two later, and the congregation was again praying for Alex while we kept our vigil at the hospital. Hillbilly felt something touch his soul during that prayer, and he began to weep uncontrollably. When I heard about it, I gave him a phone call.
“What is happening, Hillbilly?” I asked. “What made you cry?”
“I had an amazing sensation. Kevin, things are happening in Heaven that concern Alex. The Spirit of God is moving. I could feel it as we prayed together, and I just felt overcome with emotion.”
Science and Sovereignty
The testimony of science said that Alex was unconscious and
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