Discovering Jesus as the Way in Prayer 
Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me (John 14:6). 
 
This verse took on a new meaning when I faced a crisis that required God’s guidance in prayer. Whenever I have heard a sermon on this particular verse, it emphasized our salvation, redemption, and eternity with God. I never considered that it could refer to prayer, until I experienced its relevance to prayer during one of the most challenging times in my life.

A Stroke Turns Our World Upside Down
My husband suffered a stroke in April 2023. It turned our world upside down, and started us on a rollercoaster journey that hasn’t yet slowed down.

From Pillar to Post: The Grant Application Ordeal
After his release from the hospital, and once he felt strong and mobile enough to accompany me, we applied for a disability grant for him. This was an uphill battle, and we were sent from pillar to post. I felt that everyone was conspiring to keep my husband from receiving any financial help.

Despite these frustrations, we began the process with determination, starting with a doctor’s form stating that he was severely and permanently disabled. With this form in hand, we proceeded with the grant application. In South Africa, disability grants require extensive documentation, which was a process we tackled with faith.

Upon arriving at the Social Services offices, we were handed yet another form. This one had to be completed by a state-appointed doctor at a local government hospital. This meant lengthy waits in line for our chance to see the doctor.

We left home at 6:00 AM. When we arrived, the waiting area was full. We waited, and waited. My husband had severe pain, but there was little we could do. At about 2:00 PM, a hospital attendant informed us that the doctor wouldn’t be able to see us. He had traveled from a nearby town, and was involved in an accident on his way to the hospital. We had to go back the following week.

The next week, we followed the same routine, leaving our home at 6:00 AM, to wait at the hospital for hours. We finally managed to obtain a completed medical form, and set out to the Social Services offices the following day.

Frustration with Bureaucracy
We went back and forth to the Social Services offices five times, as each time we were told they required yet another form or document from us. Each time we had to join the line with hundreds of other applicants waiting to be assisted.

Finally, I had to obtain an affidavit from the police to explain the delay in our grant application.

At last, with everything in place, we finally received assistance and approval of the disability grant. It was supposed to lapse after five years, requiring us to present ourselves for a review of his condition and application. 

Trusting God Through a New Trial
It didn’t take that long. This month, when he checked his bank account, he had not received his grant. We received no prior notification or warning. What now? My husband and I decided that we would not worry. God has always taken care of us. He has been faithful throughout our lives, and He will remain faithful. As we reflected, we knew God is always good, and always worthy of praise.

With this decision in mind, I prayed, asking God to walk with me, and help me each step of the way (Psalm 37:5). I prayed for favor, blessing, and success.

I phoned the toll-free number, and was told that his grant was being reviewed. It’s been less than two years since it was first approved. We had to go through the whole application process again, except for the doctor’s visit. My husband recently turned sixty, so the grant converted to an old-age pension. His disability was no longer a factor. 

I dreaded having to go through the entire process again, but I trusted God. Firstly, I had to obtain printouts of all our bank statements for the last three months. I left early and shivered as I stepped out into the cold morning air. It’s winter in the southern hemisphere. 

A Testimony of God’s Favor
God’s favor began to manifest in unexpected ways. Somehow I managed to find parking at the first bank’s entrance. Favor!

As I walked through the door, someone met me and asked whether they could help me. I explained that I needed statements for my husband’s grant application. No problem. I was in and out of the bank in no time.

The next stop en route was at the police station to certify copies of our identity documents and marriage certificate. The waiting area was packed. I thought that I would spend a few hours there, but to my surprise (and delight) I was summoned behind the counter where an officer attended to my documents. I spent about twenty minutes at the police station. 

With the certified documents in hand, I moved to the next bank, where my husband had a savings account. This time I was sent away empty-handed. This bank required his fingerprint.

In the meantime, I had requested a letter of employment from the school, as proof of both our incomes was required alongside bank statements. It’s the winter holidays in South Africa, and all schools are closed at this time of the year. However, the head of the school had to come in as new solar panels were being fitted for the school office. This meant that I could obtain a letter of employment immediately. More favor!

I informed my husband of the fingerprint issue, and we went to town again after I helped him to dress and shave. We arrived at the bank, and much to our surprise, received assistance immediately. We didn’t spend more than five minutes at this bank.

Having all our documents, or so we thought, we set off for the grant offices. Again, as expected, there were hundreds of applicants. Apparently, countrywide, 210, 000 recipients had not received their grants this month and had to have their grants reviewed. We live in a small town, but it seemed as if all 210, 000 were there. 

We were assisted quickly by an intake officer who checked whether our documents were in order. They weren’t. We needed another letter from the school stating that my husband was not employed or receiving a salary from the school. In addition, an affidavit confirming that he wasn’t receiving a salary had to accompany this letter.

Back to school. We didn’t know whether anyone would be there as it was late afternoon already. We were fortunate. Pastor Gra, as we call him, was still there. His car wouldn’t start! We had to help him with that. This allowed us to obtain the letter we needed, and using jumper cables, he soon started his car, and we were on our way. We were amazed at how God intervened to ensure that we could obtain everything we needed.

The police station was our last stop on the way home. We obtained the affidavit within record time, despite a full waiting area. We were ready to go to the Social Services offices early the following morning, as we were advised to be there at 7:30 AM.

When we arrived the following morning, the waiting area was full already. After waiting a while, someone came around with a register to list all the names of everyone in the waiting area. When it came to our turn, I explained that we had been there the previous day, and that my husband was in a lot of pain. He couldn’t sit for long. The previous day’s traveling and waiting had taken its toll.

We were quickly assisted, and when we arrived home, my husband’s grant had already been paid into his account.

We were aware of God’s presence and favor each step of the way. Our experience confirmed that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We went to the Father through Him, praying in His Name. God answered our prayers. He went before us to level mountains (Isaiah 45:2), and to make crooked places straight (Isaiah 42:16). He granted us favor, and He blessed us with success (Deuteronomy 30:9). More than this, God walked with us every step of the way.

What could have been a nightmare, turned into a testimony. We give God all the glory.