On 31st August, 2020, I left home with my in-laws, a mix of excitement and anxiety swirling within me—eager to meet my baby yet terrified of the pain that awaited. The moment felt surreal.
As my brother drove, the car was filled with smiles, jokes, and laughter—a lighthearted and hopeful atmosphere. Even the earth and sky seemed to share in our anticipation. The clouds released their waters, as if to reassure my heart that everything would be just fine—a gentle sign of promise and hope.
Yet, it had been eleven grueling hours of what felt like active labor—painful and excruciating. With every breath I took, it felt as though the ground beneath my feet grew harder, unforgiving under the weight of my struggle.
I squeezed my sister-in-law so tightly, I was convinced that by the time our baby arrived, she would have lost a pound or two. Yet, she remained gracious, standing by me every step of the way.
My screams echoed so loudly that the very foundations of the hospital must have known a pregnant woman had graced its halls. By the twelfth hour, I had reached my limit. I was done. The pain was unbearable, pushing me to the edge of insanity with each agonizing contraction. I felt as though I was slipping into madness.
In utter despair and against my deepest wishes, desires, and prayers, I asked for a cesarean section. The doctor, clearly puzzled, struggled to understand my decision. He tried to encourage me, pointing out that I was almost fully dilated—10 centimeters—and that my baby was so close to being born. Yet, I insisted, and reluctantly, he agreed.
They wheeled me into the operating room and began preparing for surgery. As the nurses and doctors busied themselves, I turned my head to the side and whispered a quiet prayer. It was, perhaps, the shortest prayer I had ever spoken, but it came from the deepest part of my heart. At that moment, I knew that God’s ears were as close to my lips as they could be.
My Prayer
“Lord,” I began, “I’ve longed to deliver without much medical intervention. I’ve prayed for this for as long as I can remember, and I’ve believed even longer. I’m sorry that I’ve brought us to this point, but I truly don’t want this. Please, give me one more chance to deliver my baby naturally. Just one.”
Our baby Arrived
A little tear trickled down my cheek as I turned my head back. Moments later, the doctor assigned to perform the procedure walked in. He glanced at me and said, “This is the woman who’s been screaming all night? Let me see what’s going on.”
He opened my thighs to check, and at that exact moment, the sharpest and most painful contraction hit. I screamed louder than ever. And then, in the blink of an eye, I heard a cry—a baby’s cry.
It took me a moment to realize it was my baby. I kid you not, that boy flew out, and it was only the quick reflexes of the medical team that kept him from landing on the floor. The room was a mix of shock, joy, and a touch of irritation over the wasted effort in prepping for surgery.
Our baby was here-a whopping 4kg bundle of joy! The moment I held him in my arms, my heart overflowed with gratitude and love.
God had heard that short, heartfelt prayer, and by the next day, I was ready to go home. Truly, God worked wonders.
Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder: what if I had prayed that prayer sooner? Or was it only at that moment that I prayed with honest faith, my trust unwavering, and my reliance on God absolute?
Your Heartfelt Prayer
My prayer is sometimes what a heartfelt prayer looks like. It isn’t always the longest or most eloquent prayer—sometimes it’s the shortest, yet it aligns our hearts with the will of God. This is not to imply in any way that cesarean births are bad; in fact, they are sometimes the safest option for both mother and child. However, God’s will for each mother and child is unique, and it’s important to seek and trust His plan for every situation.
Now, let’s break down the latter part of James 5:16 on heartfelt prayers, so we can truly grasp its significance:
- The earnest (heartfelt, consistent, fervent, persistent)
- prayer
- of a righteous person (a believer)
- has great power
- and produces wonderful results.
To be continued…
Meditative Declaration
As I pray, I am honest, fervent, consistent, and aligned with the will of God in every request I bring before Him. I believe that God, in His faithfulness, makes His power available for every situation.
Key Scripture for Study
James 5
