Tuesday, November 2, 2010

The Power of Tefillah



I was going in for my fifth c-section and I was terrified! I imagined all the worst incidences in all past four c-sections amplified and rolled into my upcoming operation. I decided to phone Susan, a good friend of mine who was also a repeated c-section case for her support.

Susan had been through a lot, and thus was able to see things in perspective and offer sage advice. In fact, after her second c-section she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Baruch Hashem, after much prayer, and a year of heart wrenching treatment she was proclaimed cancer free. Unfortunately though, the drugs that they had used were so strong, that she was told that there was only a 10% chance that she would be able to become pregnant again.

After she had given me the necessary support she asked me "So what are you going to do with the pain?"

I wasn't quite sure what she was referring to... "I guess grin and bear it" I replied

"No", she answered, "Please pray for me. Each time there is pain please pray that Hashem will give me more children."

I was quite taken aback at her request. "Who I am to pray for this woman? I am just little old me?"

But then I heard her words echoing in my head "There is nothing to do with the pain, its going to be there anyway. So you might as well use it for something worthwhile..."

And so it was. Throughout the surgery and recovery period, each time there was pain, I pleaded that Hashem should allow her miraculously to have more children.

And yes, 2 weeks after the circumcision of my son, she was pregnant!

Just before her third c-section, Susan phoned me for support.

"What about the pain?" she asked, "I am so nervous about it".

"Susan," I replied "why not find someone to pray for each time there is pain. You and I both know that it's going to be there anyway, so you might as well use it for something positive."

"But who am I?" Susan retorted, "I am not anyone grand - I'm just little old me"

While Susan was in treatment for her cancer, she had met a woman named Sarah who also was diagnosed with end stages cancer. Baruch Hashem, Sarah had survived, but she was told that due to the strength of the drugs, that already in her late 20's she had started to go into premature menopause, and therefore would never be able to have more children.

And so it was. Throughout her c-section and recovery period, Susan, prayed with all her might that Sarah should be able to have children.

Two weeks after Susan's son's circumcision Sarah was miraculously pregnant!

Yes, Hashem listens to even "little old me"... You don't have to be great for Hashem to listen to your pleas.
..

Taken from Traditions of Kindness


6 comments:

  1. Thank you Devorah for posting such a great article, Thank you for giving me a new perspective on Tefillah!

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  2. thank you so much devorah,
    your posts are so inspiring and a pleasure to read.keep it up!

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  3. devora thank u so much its so amazing 2 c how in their most painful times they thought of others. wow!!!

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  4. Thanks, I'm glad you all liked this story. I found it unbelievable and wanted to share it with all of you!

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  5. This story really made me literally cry! Whenever I am in pain, I will try BN to have in mind others and daven for them! Thank you Devoiry for teaching me this concept!

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  6. BSD-Thank you so much. I'm happy to hear that you took the message. May your tefillos for yourself and for others be answered quickly!

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