A Testimony of Infertility

by Kristi Russell
Winter 1999

I have always had a heart for intercessory prayer and was thrilled with the opportunity to assist Joy Lamb in coordinating the intercessory program at Christian Healing Ministries beginning last January. I have been amazed at the willingness of so many men and women to stand in the gap for the numerous prayer ·needs that are received daily at CHM. Even more amazing is the way God honors these saints' prayers as evidenced in the praise reports we receive.

The power of intercessory prayer reached my life personally this past year in an incredible way. I would like to share my personal testimony of the power of intercession with you.

My husband, Matt, and I had been trying to conceive for almost two years. After a series of fertility tests, the doctors gave us very little hope of ever conceiving naturally. We hesitated asking anyone for prayer about this very sensitive subject for quite some time. The Lord finally brought me to a place where I knew we needed other believers to stand in the gap for our family. The burden was much too great for Matt and me to bear alone.

When I opened myself up to share my broken heart with others, God was faithful to bring into my life some very precious friends who were willing to support us and encourage us through this difficult time. Many of the women I confided in either had experienced or were experiencing infertility so they truly understood my pain and shed tears with me. I found my burden was lightened as trusted friends helped me bear it.

During this time, I decided to take advantage of many opportunities for prayer at CHM. I added our names to the intercessory prayer list each week, knowing these dear intercessors would be faithfully praying for us. I also attended two Generational Eucharists, which are Holy Communion with special prayers for breaking any influence the past generations might have had on our ability to conceive. Several of the other women on staff made themselves available to me as I needed a shoulder to cry on or an ear to hear my fears.

Within less than six months of sharing my heart with friends and talking many opportunities to receive prayer, the Lord opened my womb and gave us the promise of a child due next February. What joy Matt and I both felt at this surprising news! "Thank you, Jesus!" was all I could say for days.

We are so unworthy of this gift God is entrusting to us, and yet so grateful! What a precious sound a baby's in utero heartbeat is to a mother and father who thought they may never experience this joy! We anxiously await the arrival of this precious gift in less than 3 months. We can't wait to see what purpose God has for this life that has been known to Him even before the creation of the world!

It is a joy to now intercede on behalf of this precious life that is forming within me. I long to be a mother who faithfully and diligently prays for her child. I know what a difference it makes!

We receive many prayer requests at the ministry for other couples who are struggling in the area of infertility. I have added a section specifically for praying for conception on the sheets sent out weekly to the intercessors. It has been a delight to see the number of names taken from this list and added to the "Expectant Parents/Unborn Babies" list. I continually praise God for the miracle of life.

Nothing is too big for our God!

Kristi Russell is the Associate Director of Intercessory Prayer Ministry and Ministry Communications at CHM