Have you ever been so desperate for God to answer a prayer that death would be preferable to a “no” answer?
That is exactly where Ragava was earlier this year. This tiny wisp of a woman literally banged on the door of heaven and demanded that God either answer her prayer or kill her dead.
Ragava was born with significant physical disabilities. She struggles to stand and walk, and weighs maybe 80 pounds. Most of her life has been spent in utter misery as a homeless beggar on the streets of the city of Rajahmundry in Southeast India.
Several years back, she was noticed by the Good Samaritan’s widow’s ministry and began receiving a monthly supply of food and basics for survival. The monthly provisions sustained her life and ended her begging. It did not, however, relieve her pain and suffering as she still had no place to lay her head or rest her aching, frail body.
Despite her many physical limitations, Ragava became a regular attendee of Jesus’ Prayer House. (How on earth she got herself there, I still have no idea.) The members of JPH are encouraged to each take one hour during a 24 hour period each week to pray, and in this way, at least one person from the church is praying at all hours.
Ragava too committed to a place on that prayer vigil schedule.
And her desperate prayer went something like this—“Lord, give me shelter or take my life. I cannot bear the agony of huddling in the streets in the pouring rain. Give me shelter or by your mercy, give me death.”
And God heard her prayer and then some. And no, he did not kill her!
Rather, he provided not only Ragava with shelter, but also shelter, beds, bathrooms, and cooking facilities to 30 widows and disabled people in the Rajamundry slum area.
By the fervent prayers of one tiny woman who was weak in body and strong in spirit, God blessed many—just like he promises here:
1 Cor 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
The GSH widows shelter was fully completed in the spring of 2016, and is a place filled with much joy and the sweet spirit of the Lord. As with most of the projects God has lead us to do, we neither actively organized nor fundraised in order to make it happen. Rather, God’s people prayed, and His spirit moved in hearts to give—and it happened! Amazing!
There are photos of the completed shelter posted below,and I hope they will totally make your day.
Do you have friends and family who would enjoy this story? I would LOVE it if you would help us tell Ragava’s story and more like it by sharing this post with others, and encouraging others to opt in to our email list or follow GSH Ministries on Facebook. More stories of God’s goodness are coming!
Also, if you have questions or comments about GSH Ministries, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment here. If I can’t answer, I’ll find another of our board members who can, or forward your comment on to Brother Joseph.
Thanks so much!
Shawna Barr
K.Prabhakara rao.Rajahmundry.India says
Excellent…..It is real practical preaching.You will be surely rewarded as per MT.25.31-46…It is easy to preach than practice.St.Mother Therissa said,” The helping Hands are better than the Lips that pray”.I believe that God only guiding you to help the helpless.I am earnestly praying to compensate everything that you are spending for Lord’ work……Uncle Prabhakar.
GSHMinistries says
Thank you Uncle Prabha! Its wonderful to see you commenting here, all the way from Rajahmundry! You have spent your life serving the poor, and teaching your children to do so also. It is an amazing legacy! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to work alongside you and your family.
Shawna