by Monica Schmelter

By the time I was 13, I had already run away from home. I skipped school frequently and experimented with drugs occasionally. To help me get on a better path, my parents put me in a small Christian school. We weren’t in church at the time, but the thought was that a school with Christian values would help me make better choices. I thought my teachers, counselors and parents were on a mission to cramp my style and ruin my life.

The days seemed long at my small Christian school. I deemed chapel as boring and the dress code a fashion disaster. The students were friendly enough, but I had nothing in common with them.

Unfazed by My Tough Exterior

One student went out of her way to connect with me. She seemed unfazed by my tough exterior. One day she handed me a card in which she had written, “I am praying for you.” I appreciated the card, but I turned around and complained to fellow classmates that I didn’t want to be bothered by that Jesus stuff.

I’m not sure why, but when Leslie invited me to a movie night at her church I said yes. When the movie was over, the pastor asked us to bow our heads and raise our hands if we wanted prayer. I lifted my hand. When the pastor asked all who raised their hands to come forward, I did not budge.

Weeks later, my family was invited to church by a friend of my mom’s. This time my whole family, including my Muslim grandfather, his second wife and their four children, attended as well.

I Feared they Might be Crazy

The church was hosting a healing service. My younger brother has Down Syndrome and was hospitalized frequently for other health related ailments. Out of love for my brother, we all attended the service. I hadn’t been to church often, and this service seemed unusual. People were clapping, singing loudly, and raising their hands in the air. I had never seen this before and feared they might be crazy.

Later in the service they prayed for my brother. Shortly after the prayer for healing, they extended a call for all who wanted to accept Christ as Savior. Much to my surprise and chagrin, I felt a nudge, the same nudge I experienced at Leslie’s church. I fought it for a bit and then stood up and walked down the aisle. With tears streaming down my face, I knelt at the altar and gave my heart to Christ.

From Trouble Teen to on Fire with Love for Christ

After the healing service my brother was never hospitalized again. My family did not continue attending church, but my parents drove me to services every Sunday and Wednesday. I went from a troubled teen to on fire with the love of Christ. There was no earthly explanation for the change. It was simply a miracle that everyone I knew noticed.

One Sunday, my pastor – Pastor Leonard Gardner, preached a sermon using Psalm 2:8.

“Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for

thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the

earth for thy possession (KJV).”

Pastor Gardner explained that I could rewrite the history of my family through prayer. My heart was lit on fire with passion and excitement. I started believing that my family and friends would all eventually come to faith in Christ. After that sermon, I wrote that verse on the top of several pieces of loose-leaf paper. Then I started writing the names of my family and friends under the Scripture verse. I prayed over the names daily. Then my list got so long I put it in a box for safekeeping. Over the years, I started calling the box my prayer box.

My Muslim Grandfather Accepted Christ

It took 25 years of prayer for me to see my parents come to Christ. Eventually, my Muslim grandfather also came to Christ. I continue to pray for the others. When I reflect on God’s goodness to a rebellious and stubborn teenager, I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Rewrite Your Family History

We can all rewrite the history of our families with prayer. We can light our world with the love of Christ by daring to share His love without undue concern over their response.

This journey starts when you Dare to Believe. I understand that might seem impossible. I completely get that you might be thinking but Monica you don’t know my situation – you don’t know my family. I had all those thoughts and feelings too. But when Pastor Gardner preached that message, I knew I had to try.

There were many moments my faith was clouded by disappointments and how long it was taking to see my prayers answered. I didn’t walk the road perfectly. I got angry. I got confused. I wondered how long---- is this going to take? Full Disclosure – I am still praying for some prodigals in my family right now.

However, despite my questions and disappointments I keep at it. Sometimes I say – “God remember the persistent widow in Luke 18?” Then, “I say well I am persistent Monica, and I am not giving up.” I am confident God has a sense of humor – and I know based on Hebrews 11:6 that we please Him with our faith, so I keep at it.

Dare to Believe

You can dare to believe for your family and friends. You can start today. The journey may be long – and you may grow weary on occasion – but you can do this. You can use this prayer box as a prompt to pray. My prayer box has become my most precious possession because it’s where I pour out my heart to God. He has answered many prayers and to this day He is still answering.

Please keep me posted on your journey. He Hears Every Prayer.

Truth Changes Everything,