Pastor Mark Elkins of New Heights Church in Middlesboro, United States, witnessed the power of prayer in his two-year battle against liver cancer. Tumors were discovered in his liver, along with an extremely high enzyme count, during a gallbladder surgery.
According to Kentucky Today, members of his church held prayer meetings, seeking God for his healing. In September 2021, the pastor shared an update that the tumors in his body had disappeared, and others had reduced in size. Mark also received a spot in an experimental clinical trial and testified to God's power in his healing.
In August 2022, he reported that his white and red blood cell counts had returned to normal. Despite ongoing treatment, the pastor maintains his faith routine and preaches most Sundays. Meanwhile, church leaders work hard to keep ministries running.
"We set a goal to baptize and disciple 52 people, one per week," shared the pastor.
Mark believes his healing was a miracle, and he sees God working in his life. He said, "How the Lord has helped me, that's amazing. […] None of these three things happened. I was cancer-free for about four months, but it's a very aggressive cancer, and it came back. I was a living, walking testimony."
Prayers for the pastor continue, and he is unafraid to declare that God is working in his life. "This is what answered prayer looks like," he wrote on his Facebook profile.
And whatever you ask in my name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it. - John 14:13-14
The power of prayer does not come from you; it is in Jesus. Jesus answers prayer and accomplishes the impossible.
Prayer is a request, not a demand to God. Jesus answers prayer when it glorifies God.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 ESV
To everything, there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
What profit has he who works in that in which he labors? I have seen the travail, which God has given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He has made everything beautiful in its time; also, he has set the world in their heart so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice and to do good in his life. And also, that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor; it is the gift of God.
I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before him. That which has been is now, and that which is to be has already been, and God requires that which is past.
The Lord hears our prayers, and while the right time for the fulfillment of our requests may not have come, the Lord is working in our lives. Nothing is in vain; the Lord has a purpose for all things. Seek the Lord with all your heart, wait with patience, hope, and faith. If you haven't received the blessing you asked for, it's because the Lord is preparing you. Do not be discouraged; be strong and courageous!
Shall we pray?
Lord, I trust in You, believing that You are working in my favor. The challenges I face are for my spiritual strengthening, and I will not complain or be discouraged. I believe that all things work together for the good of those who love God, and I declare my deep love for You. Give me strength and courage to overcome all difficulties. I thank You and ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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