Learning to Pray A


FTER YEARS OF unhappiness, Rocky Livoni, 24, was feeling that life had become very, very good for her. She had recently married a wonderful


man who adored her and her 5-year-old son. Filled with all sorts of plans for their future, the couple were talking about expanding their family to include six more children. Then, her doctor advised Livoni to have surgery to remove what appeared to be a simple ovarian cyst. She was stunned to learn the final diagnosis: she had advanced ovarian cancer. Because she was a nurse, Livoni knew this was one of the deadliest forms of cancer; particularly if, as in her case, it had metastasized. Gently but honestly her doctor explained that even with chemo- therapy and radiation she had less than a 25 percent chance of living another 12 months. “I was in shock, terrified. I had a child. And since my marriage, I was truly happy for the first time in my life. Now I was hearing that I would probably die!” Neither Livoni nor her husband were particularly religious. “I wasn’t even sure God existed,” she said. “But 30 seconds after the diagnosis I began praying, plead- ing with God to help me. At the same time I kept asking myself if there really was a God.” In spite of her torment, Livoni drew up a list of pros and cons for the existence of God. “When I thought of all the suffering in the world, I felt God couldn’t exist,” she recalled. “But then I thought about the majesty of nature, and I knew He did. At that moment an incredible light came into the room, and I felt this warm presence. It was fantastic! In an instant I knew I would be cured.” Livoni underwent additional surgery treatments. Two years later when doctors did a “second look” surgery, they found no evidence of cancer. “What dumb- founded them is that there were no inter-


16 EVANGEL • SEP 2010


nal adhesions or scarring, which they said was impossible,” Livoni explained. Rocky Livoni has now been cancer free for two decades.


That woman’s experience reflects the truth in these words from the poet Alfred Tennyson: “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” While


Thanksgiving, intercession, meditation, and listening are elements of effective prayer. by Victor M. Parachin


most people would agree with Tennyson’s observation, many of the same people are ambivalent about their own praying. Often they view prayer as something mysterious and complex, believing prayer is best done by religious “professionals.” Yet prayer greatly enhances daily living. Prayer illuminates problems, overcomes


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