TO REMAIN IN GOD’S GRACE and continually receive His blessings, members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) should examine themselves carefully and make sure that they are solid in the faith. This is one of the biblical instructions Brother Eduardo V. Manalo emphasized in his preaching during the worship service of the Local Congregation of Capitol, Ecclesiastical District of Quezon City, on April 1, 2022. He led more than a thousand brethren eager not only to offer praises to the Lord but also to see the Church’s Executive Minister in person and hear directly through him God’s teachings once again. This was the first local congregation he visited in person outside of the Central Temple since the pandemic began.

The words of God taught by the Executive Minister during the worship service all the more strengthened the faith of the congregants. He reminded them to always place their trust in God and to be prayerful, especially in times like these when so much sorrow and tribulations could weaken their resolve. He reassured them that the strength they receive every time they pray to God, especially in the house of worship, prepares them to face and surmount any hindrance in their spiritual journey toward salvation.

One of the attendees, Sister Abby Gail Araracap, a deaconess and Buklod officer, said, “My family faced problems and difficulties, even before the pandemic. But I firmly believe that when we make sure that our faith is solid by always attending the worship services and placing our hope in the Almighty God, we become equipped to overcome trials.”

In 2017, Sister Abby’s firstborn child faced a life-or-death situation. “My daughter suffered from acute glomerulonephritis (an illness wherein the tiny blood vessels that filter fluids in the kidneys become inflamed). There was a risk of kidney failure and she always felt tired and weak,” she narrated.

Like what every faithful Church Of Christ member would do, the first thing that came to Sister Abby’s mind when faced with such a situation was to ask for help from the Almighty God. She said, “We never felt alone in handling the problem. We dedicated ourselves to praying for our daughter’s health because we firmly trust in God. We also fulfilled what the Church Administration taught from the Bible: to call for the elders of the Church to anoint the sick. And we reminded our daughter to never cease praying to God because He will surely listen to her pleadings.” Together with her husband, Sister Abby strove to keep her faith in the Lord solid and intact despite her daughter’s condition.

The couple consulted several doctors and brought their daughter to different hospitals for checkups and lab tests. However, they knew in their hearts that God is the greatest healer and that nothing is impossible for Him. Sister Abby said with conviction, “It was proven once again that God does listen to the prayers of His people. The medications worked on my daughter. She eventually regained her strength. I know for a fact that God healed her.”