Psalm 109:4
I give myself unto prayer.
David’s prayer on whole chapter Psalms 109 was “a cry to God for help” because he had enemies who were seeking his life. His secret power in prayer was “I give myself unto prayer.” David trusted God who will take care of justice on earth someday. I found similar case with Trofim who had enemies and he too, like David, “gave himself unto prayer” toward his enemies.
Trofim Dimitrov from Belene, Bulgaria in 1960s was on the run, chased by the dogs he could hear from distance. While he was on the run, he prayed fervently for his enemies, the guards. Soon Trofim was caught by the guards who then threw him down to the pit, naked, to the hungry dogs. Immediately, a great howling was heard. When the officers looked into the pit, they saw Brother Dimitrov kneeling in prayer and the dogs in panic. Barking wildly, the dogs were trying to jump the walls in order to save themselves from the strange power came out from him! [Revised story from Jesus Freaks, the Voice of Martyrs]
Why did the guards threw Trofim into the dog pit? They tried to force him to give up his faith in Christ, but Trofim refused. He prayed for his enemies. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” [Matt. 5:44]. Trofim obeyed this verse and prayed for his enemies. When Trofim was in the dog pit, the dogs were supposed to eat him alive. They were fierce dogs, hungry dogs, ready to attack him, but when he was kneeling in prayer, the dogs saw the strange power came out from Trofim. The dogs were scared and wanted to get out of the pit. The guards were surprised. Trofim’s prayer was powerful.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, this story reminds us of miracle of prayer we need to keep trusting You for all things. Teach us to believe in Your Word of promises and hold them tightly in our hearts. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen! God loves you so much!
