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CHAPTER ONE

God Still Works!

At this writing, the world is in a pandemic. Millions lost jobs, thousands have been impacted with the novel coronavirus through death or severe illness and the world is in an unsettled state. It is a time where fear can be rampant.

However, 2020 circumstances have put a different spin on the value of good health, family, prosperous jobs or businesses for all of us. We learned to appreciate people and things genuinely. Hence, today more than ever we need “fully persuaded faith” to navigate the unpredictability of our era. We can find comfort and direction in the Word of God and through personal knowledge of God’s faithfulness.

Amidst the turmoil that we have witnessed this year, know that God intervenes through multiple arenas. Pastor Tiffany Baker-McFee related during one conversation that, “Faith is the navigational system through the unknown. Faith keeps us going when we do not see, until we do see and understand God’s direction more clearly.” The following 2020 vignettes underscore how ongoing prayer is effective.

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Our son was born August 2019. During a regular checkup in January, 2020, the doctors found a sizeable lump that they thought was just a cyst. However, during removable of the reported cyst, the grapefruit-sized tumor shocked the doctors. For two (2) weeks, our son underwent more testing to determine if the tumor was cancerous and how to remove it without causing harm to his other organs.

It was not cancerous; yet, since it was pushing on vital organs, the surgery was going to be very complex. One can imagine how this news presses on any parent’s heart. We asked my mom and Marilynn James to join us in prayer as well as other family members. We needed a miracle!

A few days before the surgery, Marilynn called to support us while we were contemplating the upcoming surgery. Marilynn reminded us that “faith works by love”, Galatians 5:6. We should think about any reconciliation needs prior to the surgery, if warranted, to assure a clear path to God’s deliverance, Matthew 5:24. We handled an issue the next day.

Friday came. The doctor’s anticipated surgery would take 6 hours; our son was out of surgery in one (1) hour without complications. We thanked God upon receipt of a favorable outcome! Our son is growing well in his picture at his one-year birthday below. God delivered him! Mr. & Mrs. G.

Prayer Jewels:

1 “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith which works by love”, Galatians 5:6.

2 “Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first. Be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift”, Matthew 5:24.

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I experienced a miracle with job hunting when businesses were closed during the pandemic. I applied for a security officer position and a request for an online interview came within one hour of the application. I secured the second in-person interview the next day. I got through the background check within a week.

My in-person start date was within 1 (one) week of the initial interview in a 30-story office building. I now work 40 hours work per week on this job; the job that closed at the start of the pandemic was only thirty hours per week. Also, I was able to sell multiple, requested art projects to friends while out of work. My art talent served as a bridge until I found a job. Thank God!

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My second answered prayer was during the Chicago protest unrest. I left work after 9 p.m. on May 30, 2020 amidst the chaos in the streets and I asked my mom to stay on the telephone with me as I walked the harrowing two (2) miles home. I heard a gun firing; cars swerved up to the sidewalk. Sirens were all around. The fire smoke from burning buildings was very thick! It was difficult to breathe while walking. We repeated Isaiah 40:31, “They wait upon the Lord will renew their strength”. Buses and trains were shut down. No transportation providers responded to my calls. As I walked, God protected me miraculously! Melissa James

Prayer Jewels:

1 “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive”, Malachi, 3:10. Tithing helped me gain a new job when everything was closed, I believe.

2 “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over the, to keep thee in all thy ways,” Psalm 91:10-11. Angels kept me as I walked home.

3 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint,” Isaiah 40:31. Even though I was tired after a 9-hour day, God gave me stamina to walk home.

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I learned in fall 2019 that my job was closing by 12-31-19. I needed to advise my ninety-seven-person staff that they were also leaving. This was extremely hard because I had been the Department Director for eleven (11) years and I had worked through work and family issues with employees. Also, I needed to advise the students and their parents that the services provided would close around Thanksgiving. What an emotional time!

As a single mom with a freshman college student, I planned my next steps. When doubts flooded my mind, I used Scripture verses to calm myself. I continually prayed and fasted with Marilynn James for God’s direction. I applied to multiple positions; no interviews ensued in early 2020.

Meanwhile, the pandemic occurred. I continued to apply for positions; no contacts developed. Questions tried to overwhelm my mind. Yet, I repeatedly rehearsed Scripture verses that I memorized. This helped interrupt any discomforting thoughts.

I organized program records for four (4) sites until the end of June, so that the agency would be in compliance with all of the funders’ and the agency’s protocols. I received God’s favor when I was extended for six (6) additional months to close the agency’s program! God provided for my son and me in a marvelous manner! Sister Nickey

Prayer Jewels:

1 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end,” Jeremiah 29:11. God’s plan guided me to longer employment.

2 “Say unto them, as truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you,” Number 14:28.

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I have FINALLY had some breakthrough with Unemployment and have been standing on Psalms 119:130 and Luke 2:52 with every single call. I found out that they have gone about the wrong process this entire time (January through August 2020) and they resubmitted my paperwork to get the wages corrected to replace an almost $300 per week discrepancy once this was discovered.

I will have an answer within 2-4 weeks with the corrected wages, in Jesus’ name! I have been praying and releasing blessings to each and every person I have spoken to, just like we prayed, and experienced GREAT UNORTHODOX FAVOR because of it. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Sister James for standing and praying with me!!!

This is so encouraging, because I have made over 150 calls over the last several months and now I got through! Specific prayer makes a difference!! Sister Camille

Prayer Jewels:

1 “The entrance of thy words give light; it gives understanding unto the simple,” Psalm 119:130.

2 “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man,” Luke 2:52.