Isaiah 65:24

“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers.”

Helen Roseveare was a British doctor who gave her life to Jesus while studying medicine in college. She was part of a Bible study and involved in evangelical activities. After completing her master’s degree, she felt called to become a medical missionary and went to the Congo.

She served in many parts of Zaire, now the republic of Congo, helping build hospitals from the ground up. Along the way, she endured terrible suffering—beaten, raped, and imprisoned—but she was determined to fulfill her vision of establishing a fully constructed and functional medical school and hospital. She trained others faithfully until 1973, when she left behind a thriving medical center. Today, the rebuilt medical center continues to be a lifeline for healthcare. Her life of service, forgiveness, and faithfulness was portrayed in the 1989 film Mama Luka Comes Home. She went to be with the Lord at the age of 91.

I’d like to recall one of her remarkable stories about faith, prayer, and the power of God.

While serving as a medical missionary in Central Africa, Helen faced a heartbreaking situation. A single mother died shortly after prematurely delivering a baby girl, leaving behind a two-year-old sister. The newborn struggled to keep her body temperature up. Helen wrapped the baby in cotton wool but feared she would not survive the cold night.

She called the children in the orphanage to pray for the needs of the Orphanage and also for a hot water bottle. Among them, a ten-year-old girl named Ruth prayed boldly:

“Please, God, send us a hot water bottle this afternoon. The baby won’t survive till tomorrow without it. And would You also send a doll for her sister, so she knows You love her?”

Helen was deeply moved by the child’s faith. It seemed impossible—after all, they lived in the middle of the jungle where no package had ever been delivered. But to her surprise, a few hours later, she received word that a parcel had been dropped off at the front door by a car.

Inside the 22-pound package were medical supplies, clothes, food—and miraculously, a hot water bottle. The children rejoiced. Little Ruth exclaimed, “If God sent a hot water bottle, there must be a doll too!” She dug through the box and found a beautiful doll.

Later, Helen discovered that the package had been sent months earlier by a group of Christians in England. While packing, they had felt an unusual prompting from God to include a hot water bottle and a doll. Their obedience became the exact answer to a little girl’s prayer in the heart of Africa. That orphanage erupted with joy as the children witnessed God’s power to answer prayer.

This story reminds us that God not only answers prayer, but He also cares.

The Word of God encourages us to pray in all circumstances. Prayer is the love language between you and God. It is like a radio frequency—always available, always tuned in when you choose to connect.

The Bible teaches us to ask God the Father, through God the Son, with the help of the Holy Spirit. When you do, the windows of heaven open. Asking in faith aligns you with His promises. Yes, God knows the desires of your heart—but He also commands us to ask and believe.

This same God, sovereign over everything and everyone, bends down to listen. He calls you His friend. That’s why I encourage you today: invite Jesus into your impossible situations through prayer.

Even if you don’t feel like praying—pray.

Even if you’re too tired—pray.

Even if you’ve lost faith—pray.

Even if you’re angry at God—pray.

Even if you keep failing—pray.

Even if you don’t believe He will answer—pray.

As you pray without ceasing, God will find His way into your life. You will begin to surrender, to wait on Him, to believe again, and you will begin to walk by faith and not by sight.

Prayer may not always change things the way you expect, but it will always bring peace. And remember—Your Father is the King, and you are His child and there is no protocol required to talk to your Daddy.

So what are you waiting for? Claim your birthright. Claim your inheritance.

Try Him in prayer. Try Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You for the gift of prayer. Even when we struggle to pray or don’t know what to say, give us the grace to seek You. Teach us to trust, to believe, and to find joy in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.