Witness God's Power and Goodness
Ed walked into our men's group with his hood pulled low over his tattooed face. An ex-prisoner with a hard life and a harder exterior. He sat in the corner that first night, barely saying a word while we prayed, shared, and dug into Scripture.
He came every week for about a month but then Ed disappeared for a few weeks. Life got tough, and he pulled back. So I reached out: “Come back and refill your tank. The door is open you just have to walk through.”
When Ed returned, we were doing our usual check-in, going around the circle. His turn came, and tears started rolling down his face. “My 27-year-old daughter has cancer. She's in Australia, and I can't even visit her because of my record. She's only 27, and there's nothing I can do.”
We did what was in our DNA as believers, we gathered around and prayed. Then, in the stillness, Ed asked if he could pray. What came next was raw, honest, and powerful:
“Okay, Ant's God. If you are real and you can do all that stuff in that book over there, you show yourself to me, because I'm a hard man. I've done some crap in my life. But please don't take my daughter. Take me instead.”
The Power of an Honest Prayer
We didn't see Ed for four or five weeks. Then one Wednesday night, he walked back in, hood over his head. When we got to him in our circle, he lifted his hood and said, “Her cancer is gone!”
Later, at a Promise Keepers event, Ed gave his life to Christ. He told me he felt arms lift him up from his seat to go forward, but when he turned around, no one was there. Our Way Maker, our Miracle Worker, revealed Himself to a father who was lost, lonely, and grieving.
Understanding God's Power in Your Life
Ed's story reminds us of what it takes to truly understand the power of God in our lives:
First, you have to accept Jesus Christ. There's no other way to the Father. No option B. Just Jesus.
Second, your mindset has to change. As Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” We need to align our walk, our faith, our desires, and our prayers with biblical principles, not worldly treasures.
Third, you need to know that God is bigger than you. Sometimes we think we can handle it all ourselves, but God is bigger. He's a good Dad. A mighty Dad. A Dad with power beyond our understanding.
Fourth, get committed through His church and a men's group. Church isn't just a place to warm a pew; it's a place to serve. You need to gather with like-minded brothers who will speak truth, pray over you, and remind you that your place isn't in the valley. Your place is on the mountain, at the top table.
The Daily Walk
First Peter 5:6-7 tells us to “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
Life is tough. But God will honour you with His presence when you come close to Him. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
This isn't just about crisis prayers. You don't have to come to God only when you've got problems. You can come and say, “Lord, I'm actually okay. The car fuel tank is full. I've got food in the freezer. I want to thank You. And I want to pray blessing over my neighbour.”
You Are His Masterpiece
Ed now reads his Bible with hunger because he's tasted the goodness and mercy of God. When he worships, he cries, because worship is a verbal declaration of God's grace on his life. He understands now that he's wonderfully made, created as God's masterpiece.
The same is true for you. You are a child of God. You are redeemed. You are forgiven. You are more than a conqueror. You are not moved by what you see – you walk by faith.
And remember: God is your protector. He's King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Even when the world is against us, He is for us.
God bless,
Ants Puki
Taken from Ants Puki’s message at the PK Refiner’s Fire Christchurch Event.
Ants Puki serves on the Promise Keepers New Zealand Board and is involved in a men's group at his church.