Answered Prayer

Sunday, November 17, 2019

And I will do whatever you ask in my name. John 14:13, NIV.

I worked in a telecommunication business, where there were 90 women in the same sector. Distributing vacation periods in a manner that pleased everyone was impossible.

I was one of those who could take their vacation in the so-called “good” period, between January and February. (In Brazil, it is summer in January and February.) In 1994, to benefit a friend, I changed my vacation period from February to May, which is a colder season of the year. When my vacation arrived, my children and husband left for their regular activities, and I had more peaceful time with God.

Soon after this I did some research and went out in a nearby neighborhood. I found 18 people wanting to study the Bible. So every morning, I left home at 8:00 and returned at noon, ate lunch with my family, and went out again from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. It was gratifying to see people willing to learn of the love of God!

I prayed in gratitude: “Thank You, Lord, for using me. I want to see the fruits of this work.” When vacation ended, I prayed, “Lord, give me the opportunity to work for You.”

When I returned to work on June 5, my colleagues asked how my vacation had been. I answered that it had been the best vacation time ever because I had studied the Bible with several people and had made new friends. Ending the conversation, I stated, “I would like Jesus to give me a special leave of absence from work so that I can finish these Bible studies.” Some colleagues thought I was strange and even laughed at me.

I have a health problem that in the past has caused me to be away from work as much as eight to 10 days at a time. This problem involved terrible crises. On June 7 the Lord answered my request, made two days earlier. The company doctor called to say, “As of tomorrow, you will have a 15-day leave of absence, and then go to the National Institute of Social Security Office.”

I was able to finish those Bible studies, and eight people accepted Jesus. Praise the Lord!

I never returned to secular work. I was considered disabled for four years, and today I am retired and work for Jesus. I believe that if we ask in His name He will answer according to Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

—Edileuza Nascimento Ramos

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