I have been going through a difficult season over the past few months. It’s during these times that I’ve discovered how deeply prayer can heal the soul, mind, and body.
Desperation. Fear. Sadness. Hopelessness.
These are the feelings I’ve been carrying.
If you’re experiencing any of these right now, I’m sending you a virtual hug.
When to Pray
As a Catholic, I have always prayed and trusted God in different areas of my life. But I have to admit, when everything is going well and I feel happy and blessed, I thank Him, yet my prayer life and church attendance sometimes decrease. Then, when things aren’t going well or I feel uneasy, I find myself turning back to prayer more intensely.
But it shouldn’t be this way. We are called to pray in both the good times and the hard times, not only when we are in need. The beautiful truth is that God is always there for us. He knows we are imperfect, and He never abandons us.
Going Through Tough Times
What life has taught me over these past few months is just how powerful prayer can be.
In January, I was having the time of my life on a New Year’s Eve cruise. Life is great, I thought. However, I had already started noticing some symptoms that were unusual for me. When I returned from the cruise, new symptoms appeared, and I knew something wasn’t right. I began searching for doctors, but as we all know, scheduling appointments takes time.
Then I started experiencing a sharp pain in my lower abdomen, it was excruciating. My husband took me to the emergency room, and that was the beginning of four hospital stays.
The doctors performed an emergency colonoscopy and diagnosed me with an autoimmune disease. It was incredibly hard to hear that news while in pain, facing other frightening symptoms, and feeling extremely weak. I had to receive two blood transfusions, and a team of specialists checked on me daily.
I can’t even remember how many times my blood was drawn, my arms felt completely worn out. This was the scariest time of my life. I don’t know how many times I cried in desperation.
Our Family Members Suffer Too
My husband never let go of my hand, doing everything he could to be there for me and surrounding me with love and support through it all. He was my rock, balancing everything; work, caring for me, and supporting our daughter. It was a lot.
My parents came from Puerto Rico to help take care of me and support our family. I am so grateful for them, and I truly don’t know how we would have made it through that time without them.
I had many family members and friends sending me words of encouragement and lifting me up in prayer. It was overwhelming, in the best way, to see how many people were praying for me. I welcomed prayers from all religions. Love is love.
The person I worried about the most was my 8-year-old daughter. She didn’t fully understand what was happening, but she was very worried. She would ask her daddy:
- Is mommy going to be fine?
- When is mommy coming home?
- Why is she still in the hospital?
It was heartbreaking. As an only child, my daughter and I are always together, we are a trio with my husband. My husband did his best to reassure her that everything would be okay.
Believe in God’s Healing Power
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” — John 20:29
Throughout the four hospitalizations, I prayed often. But there were also times when I felt hopeless. Some symptoms were not improving, which left me extremely worried and sad. I also feared the possibility of surgery if I didn’t improve. That terrified me.
I cried a lot. And it is okay to cry, it helps us release stress. But staying in constant sadness and dwelling on worst-case scenarios can become harmful. I felt drained, with no energy, and it wasn’t helping my situation.
Then one day, I woke up and said: God, I surrender. I am leaving this in Your hands completely. I trust Your plan for my life.
My focus shifted to prayer and to declaring that God had already healed me. Positive reminders were placed on my laptop and water bottle. Daily, I was reminded of how many people were praying for me; I knew I was not alone. Surrounded by love and support, I also listened to music that soothed my soul and gave me hope.
I can’t tell you exactly when it happened, but suddenly I began to feel peace. No longer was I overwhelmed by negativity or hopelessness. Instead, I felt hope, and I knew healing was coming. Slowly, things began to improve, and I cried tears of happiness. I knew God had heard all the prayers. I knew He was working in silence.
Now I am back home, thank God. I am taking my medications and seeing a lot of improvement. I have upcoming appointments, and I continue to pray that everything will go well and stay on the right track.
UPDATE June 2026
I was hospitalized twice in May. I felt extremely weak, could barely stand, and had difficulty breathing. During an appointment with my hematologist, lab results revealed that my hemoglobin level had dropped to 5.5, and I was immediately sent to the emergency room.
Once again, I needed a blood transfusion and was admitted to the hospital. I also underwent a delicate surgery. It was a frightening experience, but I am incredibly grateful for the procedure that ultimately saved my life.
I am now back home and feeling stronger with each passing week. Prayer, a positive mindset, and the unconditional support of my family have been essential parts of my healing journey.
Pray and Believe
If you are going through a health issue or any other difficult time and feel hopeless, pray. It does not matter which religion you belong to, pray. God will listen.
Even though it may feel like it, you are not alone. There will be better days ahead. Keep declaring that God has already healed you. Trust God in the process. It takes time, be patient.
Sometimes, these difficult moments are the ones that bring us closer to God. They transform the way we think and the way we act. They make us better people and instruments of God to help others in need.
Final Thoughts
Prayer is powerful.
I discovered how prayer heals through my health journey. If you are going through a difficult time, lean on prayer. Pray and trust God, He works in mysterious ways. You are not alone.
Best wishes,
Mel
