A Gambler Turned Preacher

Sam (names & events disguised for confidentiality purposes) was a new member of our youth fellowship. He wanted us to help his dad, Lam, a skilful chef of Malaysian cuisine operating a popular restaurant. Lam’s gambling addiction was about to ruin him with increasing debts.

We invited Lam to attend our Marketplace Fellowship which was held in a restaurant at 6am before the business folks went to work. He insisted he would not be able to make it as he slept only at 2am and could never get up before mid-morning. However, to our surprise, he turned up. “You guys must have prayed to wake me,” he said.

In that meeting, someone gave a short testimony of how God has stopped his smoking addiction through prayer. We asked Lam what he would like us to pray for him. He told us that even though he contemplated chopping off his fingers, he could not stop his gambling vice. We gathered around him & laid hands on him to pray.

After some fervent prayers, I said, ‘Lam, I feel the Lord wants you to personally ask Him for help”. Lam looked around, “But I do not know how to pray to your God.”

Jim the fellowship leader explained, ‘’It is simple. You just say to Him, ‘God I am a gambler & I want to get out of this sin. Please help me. I pray in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.’” Lam hesitantly repeated the sentences.

I affirmed his prayer, “Lord Jesus you have heard this prayer of our friend Lam. Will you please grant him his request?”’ All of us said a resounding ‘Amen’.

Lam looked puzzled. “Is that all?” he asked. We smiled, “Yes, you prayed & we agreed with you in our prayers. And remember we are praying in Jesus’ Name.”

Jim explained the meaning of praying in Jesus’ Name; “When we pray in Jesus’ Name, we are claiming Jesus’ promise that whatever we asked in His Name He will answer.”

Lam was still unclear.  “Well. I don’t know. But I can tell you I feel a calmness in my heart. OK, we shall see what will happen.” 

The next day Lam rang me, ”You know, it is very strange. I did not go to the casino last night. I just did not want to go, that’s all.” We agreed to wait for a few more days to see what would happen.

Many days later, someone reported to us regarding Lam that a croupier in the casino he frequented was seen mentioning to another, “Say, did you notice that our regular client Lam has not turned up for a week?”  The other thought for a while, then joked, “Oh he must have died.”

Yes, indeed the chronic gambler Lam had died. But a transformed Lam was set free to start a new journey. Lam became a regular member of our marketplace fellowship. Jim had weekly Bible study with him in his restaurant. He was baptised, attended our church faithfully, and seriously studied the Bible.

Another miracle we witnessed was the healing of his wife who suffered for many years.

Today Lam after running a very successful restaurant has handed the business to his son.  He loves to study the Bible and preaches regularly in his church.