Women On The Frontlines: A Call To The Secret PlaceSample

Elizabeth Alves: The Grandma of the Prayer Shield

“All I ever wanted was to know Christ!” These words epitomize the heart of an intimate friend of the secret place, Elizabeth Alves.

Elizabeth’s daughter had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Watching her become increasingly debilitated, Elizabeth prayed night and day. Walking the floors, she pleaded, “Jesus, if I called you and you would walk this floor, then you would heal my daughter.”

Eventually, however, Elizabeth’s daughter could no longer talk or swallow.

One day Elizabeth came into her daughter’s room in the hospital and, while cleaning the bedside table drawer, she pulled out a Gideon Bible, longing for something special to read. Growing up in the church, she had learned many wonderful Bible stories, but she didn’t really know what else was in the Bible. Elizabeth had been praying, but she didn’t know much about God.

Opening up the Bible, she uttered a prayer of desperation asking for something special from Him. As she turned the pages, Elizabeth’s eyes fell on a part of the passage that would change her life forever. Slowly, she read, “They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:18).

Elizabeth laid the open Bible across her daughter’s feet. Carefully, tentatively placing her hands on the dying child’s feet, Elizabeth looked up to heaven and declared aloud: “God…I’m doing it. It doesn’t say pray. Here it says to lay hands on them.”

The next morning, her daughter went in for another test.

When doctors came out of the test, they had tears running down their faces. Panic filled Elizabeth’s heart.

Suddenly she heard, “Hey Mom, where’s Daddy? I’m hungry—let’s eat.” Elizabeth’s daughter was sitting up in bed—completely healed!

This amazing experience sent Elizabeth on a search for more of God that lasted the rest of her life.

Father, let Your will be done, Your kingdom come. There is so much information, Father. But we don’t want information; we want that which will bring life to Your people, in the name of Jesus, and we give You the praise, honor, and glory in Jesus’ name.

A Call to the Secret Place includes these and more stories of prayer warriors on the frontlines of faith. Be sure to check out the book for further inspirational stories of women such as Susanna Wesley, Basilea Shlink, and more.