Lester Hiatt

When I was a lad on a farm in northwestern Oregon the world looked so bright, I thought surely I would find something there that would satisfy my heart, but it utterly failed. At night, after a day of pleasure, I would be left with that aching void, that sorrow and remorse, that guilty conscience.

Then God let the light of the Gospel shine across my pathway. I heard these testimonies and realized this was just what I needed. That day, I found that Jesus Christ was real. It happened when I got down on my knees and prayed with all my heart the way a lost sinner should pray. I told God I was sorry I had sinned against Him. Then, He made a wonderful change in my heart. When I knelt at the foot of the Cross and gave my heart to the Lord, I found the peace, joy, and happiness I had looked for in the world, but could not seem to find.

It was more than fifty years ago when I prayed, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” Such a wonderful change came into my heart! I can say that the same peace and joy which flooded my soul that day, has lasted through the years. It has lasted through many trials and in the hard places. I have had a God I could call on any time that I was in need of help, and He has always helped me.

When I was in an unconscious condition thirty-five years ago and not expected to live, the Apostolic Faith people prayed for me and the power of God Almighty came down and raised me up. He has kept me well and strong ever since, and I praise Him for the victory in my soul.