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Prayer Changes Things

By Allison Hislop
(Selkirk, Scottish Borders)

For over thirty years I have had a fear of cancer since my Mum died in 1970 from the disease, leaving two sisters and myself.  Every lump and bump sent me running to the doctor in total panic. In August 2001 I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This came completely out of the blue, for although I had felt unwell for some time I put it down to my age. (I am fifty-one years old.)  I was admitted to hospital on Monday 15^th August and then began a series of tests. On the 14^thAugust I asked the Lord to give me a verse I could hold on to. As I was reading through the psalms my eyes paused at Psalm 77, particularly verse 14: “You are the God who performs miracles.”  On the 18^thAugust, the night after I had had my operation, I was reading through the Psalms again and asking the Lord for a verse that I might cling to.  I read Psalm 71. I had finished reading the Psalm before I realised what I had read. Verse 20 leaped out at me and I thought this had to be the Lord speaking to me: “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.”

I could not believe what was happening to me. I was in total shock, especially when I was told it was cancer. One of my ovaries had stuck to the bowel, so part of my bowel had to be removed. I immediately asked the Lord to stay close by my side, as I did not understand what was happening. As the days progressed I told the Lord that if He raised me up I would serve Him in whatever way He wanted. I asked Him to allow me to see my young son, who is 11 years old, grow up—and would He allow me to see my husband become a Christian?

I was able to testify in hospital and share the verses that the Lord had given me with staff that did not always understand.

I came home to recuperate and two weeks after the operation began to be sick. I was taken back into hospital and lay there for about ten days. During this time I was taken up to the Western Hospital in Edinburgh and saw the oncologist who talked to me about my forthcoming chemotherapy. The Doctor said he wanted me admitted to the Western straightaway.  I lay in the Western for another two weeks as I had contracted an infection, so I was being pumped full of antibiotics. I was told I was a very sick lady but nevertheless a very fit lady. Still, I could not eat, as I was continually being sick. An obstruction was ruled out but I appeared to be getting weaker by the minute. I knew people were praying for me. My own church held prayer meetings and I received many cards and letters full of encouragement. Family and friends, too, were constantly praying and I know prayers were prayed in America, Australia and Budapest.  One friend said she knew the Lord would heal me and gave me Scriptures that the Lord had given her (1 Peter: 4:19 & 1 Peter 5:10).  I eventually stopped being sick and was allowed home. Before I came home I had one dose of chemo to start me off so to speak.

Unfortunately, ten days later I began to be sick again and was re-admitted to the Western. The doctors were talking about a blockage and another operation. After two days I began to feel better and suddenly my sickness stopped. I asked to go home and although one doctor said I was twisting his arm, I was allowed to go.

I did not look back after this and, although I was very weak to the extent I could not walk far and had to use a wheelchair, I began to eat small amounts. Being on a low residue diet, I was only allowed certain foods. Nevertheless I continued to eat and was not sick.

I felt as though I had reached the bottom and remembered Psalm 71 and how the Lord would raise me up from the depths of the earth. I was certainly in the depths now.  I could go no further.

I began my chemotherapy, which was to be six sessions comprising of two types of chemo, one quite light and one very harsh. The chemo was given at three weekly intervals and took five and a half hours to administer.  I was told I would suffer hair loss, fatigue, tingling, loss of feeling in my fingers and toes and joint pain.  I can say that apart from the hair loss and slight joint pain, which lasted for three days, I did not really suffer any other symptoms. This was because of prayer. There was no other explanation. PRAYER CHANGES THINGS.

The Deacons from my church came to anoint me and pray over me (James 5:13-16). This was a very special time and I felt so much at peace.

The chemo continued, my lovely blonde hair fell out and my targets (the blood count which signifies cancer cells) fell rapidly from 3500 (1st session) to 15 (untraceable—4^th session). I began to put weight on, grow stronger and feel well. The doctors and nurses could not believe how I was reacting to the treatment.

I was told I would need to undergo a hysterectomy on February 20^th, after the chemo had finished in January. I was not particularly looking forward to another operation but knew I would need it. On Wednesday February 15^th I was due to see the oncologist. While driving up to Edinburgh I began to think of some words I had either heard or read about the Sun of Righteousness and healing. I could not get these words out of my mind and later asked my step-mum if she knew where they came from. She looked up her concordance and quoted Malachi 4:2: “But for you who revere my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings.”  I praised God for this word.  The next day we were due to visit friends in Lancashire and on our return I found a card waiting. It was from a friend in the church.  In it she had asked the Lord to give her a verse for me.  She quoted Malachi 4:2 and also Psalm 30:1-3, 11 &12. I was very excited.

The following Monday (February 18^th) my husband, Matthew and I were driving towards Berwick-upon-Tweed about 7.50 in the morning. Matthew was due to visit his new school, which he will start in September, God willing. We drove along the main road, up the hill beside the local golf course and I asked John what the bright light in the sky was. He said it was the sun. As we came to the top of the hill, I could the sun in all its brilliance. It was so bright we could hardly see the road and I knew straightaway without any doubt that this was the Sun of Righteousness. The sun did not leave us all the way to Berwick, or on our return. The clouds did not cover it once. We lost the brightness due to the road dipping and turning but the sun remained in the sky, totally brilliant. I was stunned and very excited. Praise the Lord!

I was due in hospital the next day with my operation the following day. I experienced such peace as I repeated the verse from Malachi over and over again.

Early on Thursday morning (February 21^st) I read these words from God Calling, a little book I have owned for many years: “Nothing can hurt. The way is plain. You do not need to see far ahead. Just one step at a time with Me. The same light to guide you as the Hosts of Heaven know—the Sun of Righteousness Himself.”

The surgeon came to tell me the result of my operation and he said, “Good news, there was no cancer found!”  Praise God from whom all blessings flow. This was not coincidence but God-incidence! Later on another doctor told me that I would have 5—10 years, but as I said to the oncologist later, the God who formed me in my mother's womb will decide when He takes me.

The following week I saw the oncologist who hugged me and said I was 99.9% clear and after a thorough search one or two cells were found. I was to have three light chemos to make sure all cancer cells were dealt with. The church held a Prayer and Praise night and what a wonderful occasion that was. To give God all the glory and thanks is just wonderful.

I have my moments and on one occasion was feeling quite low when my daily reading was from John 15—the vine and the branches. Verse 3 leaped out at me: “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken.” What was the word? The Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings.

Since then I have gone from strength to strength and now my hair is growing back and I have put weight on. I have just had a check up and was told I was symptom-free and disease free.

How do I sum up what has happened? I will never be the same person again. The Lord has changed me totally and I find it a privilege to tell others of what God is doing and has done in my life.  Do I get frightened?  Of course I do, especially when I'm due a check up. I don't want to die at the moment—I told the Lord I have too much living to do. We live in dark and desperate days and I need to tell others of a loving Saviour who died for each one of us. Does Satan tempt? All the time and I know I am in the middle of a battle. He causes me to have odd pains, which naturally make me think dark thoughts—but I know I need to put on the whole armour and stand firm. (Eph: 6:10-18)

I know I have been healed but I need to trust the Saviour, not just every day but every moment of every hour. I still have so much to learn. I had the privilege of being elected a Deacon in our church recently and know this is another way of serving the Lord.  I have spoken at a conference and also to many non-Christians bout the Lord. Many do not understand but I am only to sow the seed. The Lord will do the rest.

My prayer is that anyone who reads this testimony will be challenged to put their trust in a loving God and come to know Him as Saviour and Lord. Let me say to you, “God is faithful!”  He has promised He will not give us more than we can bear, and through every trial He is always there for us.

Keep trusting, keep loving and keep your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus.

Allison Hislop

Loneliness

In a hospital
along a corridor
In a crowded ward
There lies a woman, quite still.

She gets lots of visitors
and an awful lot of flowers
The doctor comments that
she could start a florists.

I know she's getting well
She's coming home soon
Her treatment's going well
this has been such a boom.

As the weeks tick by
she becomes stronger and stronger
I ponder waiting for her to come home
I don't want her in hospital any longer.

                                                           Matthew J. Hislop (age 11)

Now published in

This work is in effect a sequel to Touched by God: Testimonies of Christian Power, which brought together seven inspirational stories of God’s supernatural intervention in the lives of Christian believers—testimonies that presented extra-biblical proof of God’s divine power and love in the lives of Christian believers.