I put out a message to my Facebook friends soliciting stories of how prayer has impacted their lives.  The first to respond was Win.  I was quite surprised.  Below is the story he shared.

I’m not a Person of Faith – I follow the teachings of Jesus without believing in his divinity. I may have spent many pre-adult years in the Presbyterian Church, but not all of it stuck.

Not long after we became an “established” couple, Susan had a ruptured disc, which eventually required surgery. I was with her at the hospital, and while I was there, she received a visit from the Assoc. Pastor of her church. It was a good visit, very pastoral and comforting, and when he took her hand and said “Let us pray,” I stood silently by. As you’d expect, he prayed for comfort and healing… and he gave thanks that I was there to be with her.

I think you could have knocked me over with a feather. Nobody had ever given thanks to their god for my presence, ever. I was both lifted and humbled, a truly astonishing and eye-opening experience. I’m still an infidel, but that was one of the most moving experiences of my life… along with seeing Susan’s pain-free smile after successful surgery.

P.S. A couple of years later, that pastor officiated at Susan’s and my wedding.

Not long after I read Win’s story, I traveled with members of our church and other churches to Harlan, KY for our annual mission trip.  I asked our mission workers to ask everyone if they would like to be prayed for.  One man said, “But not everybody is a believer.”

I thought of Win and said, “What difference does that make?’