In Despair, I Called Out to the Lord: A Farmer's Story of the Power of Prayer

By John A. Hookstead

It's often said that the most significant moments of our lives occur in God's time. If we live to glorify Him in those moments, His time can be ours.

• A faith affirming read, rich in the evidence of a living God.
• An amazing example of the Holy Spirit in action.
• Hope and joy that can only find their explanation in Jesus.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Aug 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685562953

John A. Hookstead

Born into a large family on a small farm in southeastern Wisconsin, John knew early on that he wanted a life on the land. At the age of twenty, desire met opportunity. From that day forward, through thick or thin, he was committed. In his late thirties he met and married the love of his life, and he attributes to her his discovery of the softer side of God. Together they have a fourteen-year-old son. Though his life has undergone a dramatic change, he gives glory to Christ Jesus for ensuring that the blessings far outweigh the heartbreak.

Book preview

J_Hookstead_5.5x8.5_Cover_Front-01.jpg

In Despair, I Called Out to the Lord

a Farmer’s Story of the Power of Prayer

John Hookstead

Trilogy Christian Publishers

TUSTIN, CA

Trilogy Christian Publishers

A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive

Tustin, CA 92780

IN DESPAIR, I CALLED OUT TO THE LORD: A Farmer’s Story of the Power of Prayer

Copyright © 2022 by John Hookstead

Every Man’s Bible New International Version:

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Life Application Bible, New International Version:

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

The NIV and New International Version trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without written permission from the author. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

Rights Department, 2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, CA 92780.

Trilogy Christian Publishing/TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN: 978-1-68556-294-6

E-ISBN: 978-1-68556-295-3

Dedicated to Mom and Dad

Acknowledgements

For the Christian, thanking God for His help in our lives has been done and redone—sometimes to the point of sounding robotic. Like pushing the play and rewind buttons on a tape recorder repeatedly, the significance of a phrase can lose all meaning. Yet, in fact, there would be no reason to recount the events of our lives if not for God. His love and mercy make every joy greater and every heartbreak not only survivable, but wonderfully and knowingly just, right, and true. And so, yes, at the risk of sounding redundant, I will give God my gratitude and praise, for I know that all that is worthy originates and springs forth from Him.

Luke 10:27

Jesus answered, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.

In addition to God, I would like to thank my wife Kelly, my son Ethan, my mother and father, my caregivers, and the countless well-wishers whose prayers supported me in my hour of need.

To my wife, for her steadfast commitment to our marriage. To Ethan, for the big bear hugs whenever I needed one, and for growing up fast. And to both of them, for their faithful acceptance of the way our lives together underwent a sudden and dramatic change. To my parents, for making the sacrifices in their lives to be what a mother and father were designed to be. To my caregivers, for their skill and dedication. Then, finally, to all the unnamed well-wishers, both family and friends, that if formed in a line could reach and wind its way around the back forty, and who by the extension of their grace loved their neighbor as themselves.

Foreword

John’s story awoke in me two basic truths—truths that can too often be taken for granted through a sort of spiritual malaise. First, that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. He paid the penalty for our sins on the cross so that, if we repent and receive Him, death is conquered—let alone the troubles of this world. That is an indescribable peace. The second is that we are close to God through a personal relationship with Jesus.

I was reminded of the second truth when I read that John had never known a more wonderful feeling during his moment of tragedy. While I will never be able to relate to his experience, I do believe that, as a Christian, I know the wonderful feeling that he was referring to. In fact, this part of the book—God’s strong presence during the tragedy—unexpectedly opened in me a flood of memories. Memories of God’s unquestionable presence in my life as a youth. And by the time I got to page three, I knew that I had been missing it.

This planted in me a new seed and an urge to draw close to Him, knowing that He would then draw close to me (James 4:8). This leads me back to that second truth: that I know God through a personal relationship with Jesus—not through all the Bible verses I understand (which I must), or the church services I attend (which I should), or even my efforts to be a godly husband and father (which He commands), but rather by desiring a closeness with God through His Son and valuing that above all else.

And why? Because I am compelled by His great love for me (2 Cor. 5:14). A love that died for me. The same love that surrounded John with an unspeakable peace during what should have been the worst moment of his life. That is who our God is. The God who spoke the universe into existence with His Word is the same God who cast all the sin of mankind onto His perfect Son, Jesus, in order to save… me. Why? Because He loves me. That is astonishing, and I will never fully understand it. But I’ll always believe it. John’s story reminded me of it afresh. John will never know the full work of God during his life this side of heaven. But now he knows, as do you, just one small piece of it: a proper, loving jolt for me to desire and pursue a closer relationship with my Savior. In this way, God did a work in me through His