Answered prayers

NICK EICHER, HOST: Today is Monday, December 26th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Nick Eicher.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: And I’m Mary Reichard. At WORLD, we know God hears and answers prayer. So, to close out 2022, we’ve put together a week-long series highlighting just that–the faithful, sometimes mundane, other times miraculous ways, God has answered our prayers this year. We hope these stories from our staff and listeners will prompt you to thank God for His many blessings and encourage you to keep praying.

LESTER AND BONNIE TWILLY: Hello, this is Lester and Bonnie Twilley near the Mason Dixon Cornerstone on Maryland's eastern shore. We give thanks daily for undeserved blessings, and one of them is for the joy and relaxation we receive from horseback riding. Two horses are on the farm these days, and this story concerns a 16 hand 16 year old quarter horse named Bear. July 11th was a typical day until we observed Bear in pain from colic. The hours towards midnight had us praying and helping our veterinarian. Our only hope was emergency surgery at the University of Pennsylvania's new Bolton center in Kennett square. We arrived just after 4am and Bear was taken for surgery. I was giving thanks for special memories and asking that Bear continue to be my equine pal. Releasing it all to the care of our Heavenly Father, I was allowed to see Bear when he was out of recovery. His large colon had been deprived of blood and oxygen for many hours, and his surgeons made it clear the next 72 hours would be critical. Twice each day we received an update call from new Bolton and two days after surgery, Bear had not only survived, he was making an astounding recovery. His surgeons couldn't explain it, although we knew their healing hands were used in answered prayers. To the delight of all, Bear was released early to continue his recovery at home. And each day a predawn whinnying reminds us to be thankful for blessings that are new every morning.

HANNAH BOURGEOIS: My name is Hannah bourgeois, and I am so thankful this year for the Lord giving me my life back. I have struggled with long COVID Since March of 2020. And God was so gracious to provide a very thoughtful physician who researched treatment for long COVID that has led to a truly miraculous recovery. I still have a ways to go. And the research is always improving. And we are learning more each day. But we know that God has brought us this far and will continue to do so in His way and His perfect time. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46.

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