Prayer and Priesthood

Through multiple experiences I know that God hears and answers prayers and that the power of the priesthood is real. This knowledge was confirmed yet again through and experience we had yesterday with our oldest daughter, Emma.

Emma is away at college. Yesterday morning she was working with her roommates to clean their dorm when her nose spontaneously started to bleed. She's had severe nosebleeds before and usually keeps gauze and vinegar on hand as that is what always seems to help staunch the bleeding. However she didn't have any vinegar on hand.

After trying for several minutes to stop the bleeding, she sent a text message to us, making us aware of the situation and asking us to pray for her. We immediately gathered as a family and I offered up a prayer on her behalf. As I did so I felt the distinct impression that everything would be okay, but that Emma needed a priesthood blessing to stop the bleeding.

Following the prayer, I called Emma directly to talk to her about getting a blessing. She said she would try to reach out to here home teachers. I told her I would also do what I could from my end. I got the name of her bishop and her ward name and hung up.

I was able to get Bishop Parry's number from the church's web site and immediately gave him a call. I had to leave him a voice mail but he called me back within a few minutes. I was then able to explain the situation. He was very kind and promised he'd take care of things.

Within half an hour I got a call from Emma. Bishop Parry had arrived and given her a priesthood blessing. Within minutes of receiving the blessing the bleeding stopped.

I know that God heard and answered our prayers yesterday. I know that the power of the priesthood is real. How grateful I am for that knowledge. How grateful I am for the knowledge that we have a loving Father in Heaven who knows each one of us personally and is always willing to help. All we have to do is ask and then act in faith, believing that we will receive. For, as Jesus taught, "All things are possible to him that believeth," (Mark 9:23).

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Author

Randy McNeely is a father of five, an aspiring author as well as a singer/songwriter. He has written several patriotic songs, children’s songs and multiple religious hymns, including Oh Jesus, Savior of Mankind, which won a Special Recognition award in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 2008 Music Submission contest.