God answered my prayer: After my dad died, I grew fearful he wasn’t OK. On Easter Sunday, God heard my prayer.

God answered my prayer: Evan Wechman was diagnosed with severe anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), causing him to battle fear and worry, including what happened to his dad after he passed away from COVID-19. After giving his life to Jesus, Evan began praying daily — and asked for a sign to know with certainty that his dad was OK. On Easter Sunday, God answered.

If you enjoy Evan’s story, you’ll enjoy the 40 stories of faith we share in our book, “Faith Storytellers: Unleash the Power of Your Story'.

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Evan Wechman was diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). As a child, he often felt lonely and disconnected from classmates, yet his dad always seemed to know how to cheer him up and help him feel loved.

By Evan Wechman 

As a child, my loving father spent all his free time with me, whether teaching me baseball or taking me for a drive in the country. I grew up in a suburb just 25 miles north of New York City.

My dad always loved the city, but he also enjoyed driving through rural areas of the state with me and showing me different places where he spent time as a kid. 

I often felt lonely and disconnected from my peers. I was nervous about school and making friends as I had several verbal and physical tics. I was always terrified my teachers would criticize me, but my dad would always comfort me. He would let me know how much he loved me and that he would always be there to help me.

Once when I had not been invited to a party that all my schoolmates were going to, I began to cry. That night, my dad said I would always have him to hang out with. He asked me if I’d like to see a movie with him at the big cineplex. I took him up on it, and he even allowed me to have all the popcorn and soda I wanted. 

In fifth grade, a student from my elementary school named Michael asked if I’d like to go to church with him and his family on Sunday. I was flattered that he wanted me to join him, but also scared of what I would hear at church. 

I had heard pastors on television speak about a punishing God, but I wanted to believe God was merciful and kind. I was anxious about what his pastor would say, so I told Michael no. 

My dad encouraged me to bring fears, anxieties, and challenges to the Lord because God designed us with the ability to think.

Evan’s dad encouraged him to pray and reach out to God, but Evan hesitated. When a fifth-grade classmate invited him to church, he was fearful the pastor would be like the pastors he saw on TV. At times he wondered: Would God answer my prayer?

In college, I was diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). I knew something was wrong, but didn’t know what it was or who to speak to about it.

I was even told by one psychiatrist when I returned home to New York in the Summer of 1992 that “there was nothing I could do to get better.”

This news was disappointing and emotionally draining. My father tried to comfort me by explaining that things would get better as an adult. He even bought me audio cassettes about people who managed their OCD and went on to live fruitful lives. 

Many of these individuals relied on prayer and developing a bond with God. My dad said it was all right to discuss my issues with the Lord, as the Lord was the one who designed us with a mind and the ability to think.

I felt I should reach out to God, but I was hesitant because I didn’t know how to pray. I never went to church, as that was not something my family did. I falsely believed I was worthless and unable to be loved by anyone, especially God. 

I was hoping that a strong connection to the Lord would bring me some peace, but I had no idea how to develop such a bond. 

The closest bond I had was with my dad, who said that he loved me more than I could understand. 

When I cried, he encouraged me by saying I would find peace when I was older. “Hang in there,” he said. 

After my dad died, I grew fearful that he was separated from God

Evan’s father passed away on January 3, 2021, from COVID-19. When he died, Evan lost his best friend. He regrets not being able to say goodbye due to hospital protocols that separated patients from family members who wanted to be with them. He struggled not knowing what happened to his father. He asked God to answer his prayer to give him a sign.

I attended college at the University of Delaware and began reading a few Christian books in an introductory philosophy class. I can’t recall the names of the authors, but it led me to seek out people who were active in the Christian community on campus, 

I had great conversations with people who encouraged me to attend church with them, but I never did. I’m not sure why I didn’t go with them to church, except that I was still struggling with immense feelings of worthlessness. 

My dad continued to look after me as I suffered from my disorder, but things soon changed. In about 2005, my dad’s wonderful mind started to weaken, as he was experiencing the early onset of Alzheimer's Disease. 

He was still the same kind man I knew as a child, but this time our roles were reversed. He needed me to look after him as well. We spent many moments during the next 15 years leaning on one another and taking care of each other.

Everything changed on January 3, 2021, when my dad passed away from COVID-19. I wanted to be by his side in his final moments to let him know how much I loved him.  Due to hospital protocols, I was unable to even do that. My dad was my best friend, and I couldn't even say goodbye. 

I felt lost without him. It was a confusing time. I didn't know if my dad believed in God, and the thought of him being separated from God scared me.

A few months later, I started to spend more time in my local library as it helped ease my worrying mind. As I've heard somewhere before, maybe we don't choose books, but the books choose us. 

Still grieving the loss of his dad, Evan sought refuge at his local library, where he read books by Christians about Jesus, including the New Testament. He was deeply touched by the teachings of Jesus and gave his life to Christ. These Christian authors shared stories of how God answered prayers..

Before I realized it, I was reading The New Testament and books by Billy Graham, Max Lucado, and Rick Warren. 

The teachings of Jesus genuinely touched me. He was all about love, forgiveness, and a deep friendship with God. After some time had passed, I relocated to Tampa, Florida, to get a fresh start. 

And I gave my life over to Jesus Christ. 

I felt called upon to do so by Jesus and the Christian teachers whose books I read every evening. It was a very beautiful period in my life. 

“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”

— John 13:1 (NIV)

I began to pray daily to Jesus. At first, it felt strange to talk to him like he was my friend. But from everything I'd been reading, it was apparent that Jesus loves me more than any friend, and he wants me to share every detail of my life with him. 

I wanted Jesus to know I wanted a close bond with him, so I prayed about everything that was important to me.

Wanting a fresh start, Evan relocated to Tampa, Florida. Plagued by doubts about whether his dad was in heaven, he prayed to Jesus for a sign — and received one on Easter Sunday, when Evan’s mom found a note his dad had left in his wallet.

I prayed for a sign that my dad was OK, and Jesus responded on Easter Sunday.

As Easter approached that year, my doubts started to creep back. I was still concerned about my father and whether Jesus was looking out for him. I desperately wanted to hear from my dad or at least know that he was OK. 

This caused me to pray for a sign that my father was OK. 

I don't necessarily believe this was a great idea, or that every prayer asking for a sign gets answered. But I felt a comforting tug that Jesus wanted to let me in on something and would help me. 

That Easter Sunday, my mom left me a voicemail. “Evan, please call me back. Something very strange happened with you and your father,” she said. 

When I called her back, she explained that she had looked in my dad's wallet that morning, which she kept in a drawer by her bed. 

My mom didn’t know why she looked in his wallet, as she had emptied it out some time ago. There was nothing left inside: no credit cards, no receipts, and no paper. 

But when she checked on Easter Sunday, my mom found a short letter addressed to me from my dad telling me that he would always be there for me. 

I asked if it was his handwriting, and she said it was, without any doubt. 

That was all I needed to know. I hung up the phone with my mother and felt a sense of peace. Jesus wanted a relationship with me, and I believe Jesus is looking after my father, too. 

My friend Scott was skeptical. "There could be a lot of reasons that happened," he said. And I suppose that’s true. 

But I am satisfied. I believe Jesus reached out to me, that God answered my prayer. And I believe my dad is well and close to Jesus. 

Now, when I begin to get nervous or worried that I am incapable of receiving the love of Jesus, I am reminded of John 13:1, which states: “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” 

Just like my dad was there for me when I was young, Jesus is there for me now — and he always will be.

Evan Wechman is a journalist who has covered everything from community churches doing great things to interviewing prominent athletes. Originally from New York, Evan now lives in Tampa, Florida, and is always looking for great stories about great people. In his free time, Evan reads inspirational books and watches compelling sports documentaries. Connect with him at evan-writes.com.

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