Daddy’s Empty Chair
I want to share this good story that shows how prayer when looked at in the right way is a communication line with God, where we speak to Him and He speaks to us. This was a heartfelt story with a powerful message that touches your heart.
A man’s daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father.
When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed.
The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. “I guess you were expecting me,” he said.
‘No, who are you?” said the father.
The minister told him his name and then remarked, “I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up,”
“Oh yeah, the chair,” said the bedridden man.
“Would you mind closing the door?”
Puzzled, the minister shut the door.
“I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter,” said the man.
“But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head.
I abandoned any attempt at prayer,” the old man continued, “until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, “Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus.
Here is what I suggest: Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It’s not spooky because he promised, ‘I will be with you always’. Then just speak to him in the same way you’re doing with me right now.”
“So, I tried it and I’ve liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I’m careful though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she’d either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm.”
The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church.
Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon.
Did he die in peace?” he asked.
“Yes, when I left the house about two o’clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death.
Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?”
The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, “I wish we could all go like that.”
– Author Unknown –
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ : The Power of Prayer
After reading this story, maybe we should ask ourselves, “How much time am I spending with God?”.
The best and greatest moments you could ever experience in your life, is the time you spend with God!
We need to keep in mind that the more time we spend with the Lord in prayer, the more useful we will be in doing His Work and following His lead.
Share your thoughts on what this story means to you!
Let’s connect!
8 Comments
Wendy
what a peaceful way to go. the daughter and the priest know the father had serenity when he passed away. that is very, very special.
Thea Octavo
I’m reading this at night and it’s such a nice read to end the day. I also used to be shy around others when it comes to praying but now that I’m older, proclaiming and being proud about your faith is the best feeling ever! Thank you for sharing this heartwarming story to us 🙂
blair villanueva
I am not religious, but I can say that I got strong faith. Religion is like joining a fraternity or a club. Just if you have strong faith, it is universal.
Aaliziyah
This story really made me reflect. Frankly speaking, I am not much of a prayerful person. My faith in God also tend to be unsteady. The story made me realize that prayer is not only a way to ask God to grant us the miracles we want for ourselves or for other people. I once saw prayer as an act of desperateness because I once read about how people tend to see God as the last resort. I never realized that prayer is more than that. Thank you for sharing this one. It really made me want to bridge the gap I have with God.
veeyahmarie
That story touched me deeply… almost like a gentle tap from God himself. 🙂 I can’t put into words how much faith in Jesus has made an impact in my life. Moments that seem so hopeless suddenly turn and I know He’s always watching over me. Thank you for this!
www.WanderWoMom.com
ang ganda ng story.. alamo ba.. its been awhile talaga na nag sisimba ako.. pero i always pray and i always go inside the church kung sa kaling me madaanan ako while commuting and pray.. parang feeling ko kasi its my communication with him is what matters.. nanduna ko sa stage na yun.. please dont judge if i dont do my obligations… pero yun yung ako ngayon. my faith isnt gone, it has always been there, pero i express it in the most intimate way.
Fangirl Clang
Yung lola ko parang ganyan din… matagal na di nagsisimba pero sinasabi niya ang mahalaga madalas siya magpray.
momsshoutout
this story touches my heart.. I’m not religious, but I have a strong faith in HIM.