I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26 NIV).

I remember hearing the story of a couple. Like so many, they lived their life without any thought of God. In fact, the husband, Lee, was an atheist. His wife, Leslie, was more of an agnostic–she didn’t believe in a personal God.  But a dramatic circumstance changed all that.

While dining at a restaurant, their daughter choked on some food. Fortunately, in the restaurant, a nurse was there and knew what to do and the girl’s life was saved. This woman was a believer in Christ. After the incident, the nurse and the girl’s mother developed a relationship and she invited Leslie to church. Soon, Leslie believed in Jesus Christ as a personal God, not what she previously believed that he was just a distant God, and she became a Christian. This was not what  Lee wanted.  He reminded Leslie they’d decided to not be “weak” by believing in God.

Changes  began to take place in their home. And Lee really didn’t like them. Leslie took time to read and study her Bible. She became involved in Bible studies and attended church weekly with their daughter. Most of all, she prayed for him.

Because Lee was an investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune, he set out to prove to his wife and himself that Christianity was a cult. Instead, he discovered the Bible was true. Jesus was a real man who was God. Who lived and died for us. And best of all, that Jesus rose from the dead and promises eternal life if we believe in him. You can read about their story and Lee’s investigation here.

While Lee investigated, Leslie prayed that Lee’s stony heart of disbelief would become a heart of flesh. Her story of how God worked first her on heart, and then her husband’s heart, was an encouragement to me. Leslie’s story encouraged me to pray for my late husband and what I perceived as a stony heart. I prayed for about five years…

Bill was a good man, but like most of us, he was selfish. He believed in God—and was a Christian. But he wanted to do things his way. Gradually, I began to see changes in him. He didn’t read the Bible on a regular basis—unless you count opening it on Sunday mornings at church. But I noticed before he left for work, he began reading the book of Proverbs. I didn’t comment when he did it. Instead, I just prayed.

Gradual changes took place. Nothing dramatic. But then, my late husband’s body was attacked by a virus and it took him to a new level of suffering. In that suffering, his heart became softer and softer.  I began to see real change. He began to have a respect for God. Here’s an excerpt from my book expressing how his stony heart was changed:

One morning during devotions, I read James 5:14-16: Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. I went into our bedroom where Bill lay and read the passage. “Would you like me to call Paul, our pastor at that time.”  I offered, unsure. Bill rarely expressed a public need for prayer.

Bill gripped my wrist, his hazel eyes earnest. “Call him.”

An hour later, Bill sat on the couch in his pajamas with a blanket over his legs. I sat beside him, holding his hand, so hopeful. At last there was something we could do. At last Bill could be healed.

Bill talked about his failures. “I’ve judged others so often in my life,” he said, looking up with tears in his eyes. “I’ve been harsh on people. Many times, I haven’t been the best Christian.” He shook his head.

I sat with my hand holding his, grateful for the way he was opening his heart. I had to admit it was the truth. After all, I had lived with him for forty years!

He looked at pastor sadly. “I have a hard time with my mouth,” he continued. “When I get angry, I say things I know I shouldn’t say.” There was an accepting silence as the men listened, nodding in compassion. Bill bit his lip. “And sometimes my eyes look where they shouldn’t.”

“Well, Bill,” said Pastor Paul. “We all struggle with our eyes, with our mouths, with our thoughts. I’m so glad you can be honest about these things. You are right to confess and can be assured God will forgive you.”

Bill took his hand from our clasped hands and gestured to me. “I want what she has.” I could hardly believe my ears. For so long, I had been praying that my beloved would know the length and breadth of God’s love, as I was beginning to know it. And yet, in a burst of anger, Bill would often accuse me of being a terrible Christian. I bowed my head, amazed and grateful for the kind words.

An elder lifted a small bottle. “Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you.” He gently dabbed the oil onto Bill’s forehead, careful to find a place without sores.

“Let’s pray,” the pastor said. Bill prayed for forgiveness. Then one of the men prayed for healing. Another prayed for strength. Lastly, one prayed for God’s comfort and presence. Afterward, the men stood, each hugged me and reassured me their prayers would continue.

I expected instant physical healing. Instead, I saw a change of a completely different kind. “Shirley,” Bill began to tell me daily, “I am so grateful for you.” We prayed often together. 

God answered my prayer about my husband’s stony heart. He did make it a heart of flesh. That prayer was over a long period of time. Just as Leslie prayed. I know Bill would want me to tell his story.

What does my story tell you? God is eternal. He doesn’t depend on time or space. He hears our prayers and will answer them. Sometimes not the way we expect them. Just as I hoped his illness would be healed, instead God did a bigger thing by what he did.

I hope you can be encouraged to never give up on praying for a loved one. A neighbor. A friend who seems hard-hearted. A child. A spouse.

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