From the archives of Evelyn Roberts
I married Oral Roberts before I had heard him preach even one time! I married him because I loved him. We had been married only three or four days the first time I heard him preach, and I’ll never forget it. We had gone to Konawa, Oklahoma, to visit Oral’s parents, and it had already been announced that Oral would preach.
That night I sat in the front pew. Oral read his text. I bowed my head and prayed for the Lord to help him. I so much wanted him to preach a good sermon, and I certainly was not disappointed.
Oral has eyes as sharp and observing as an eagle’s. He doesn’t miss anything that goes on while he is preaching. He saw me with my head bowed, and he thought it meant that I was ashamed of him. I had a hard time convincing him that I was not ashamed—I was just praying. I’ll tell you this, however. Since that day, I do my praying before I go to church, not during church.
Another time, when Oral was conducting a crusade in New York City, I joined him for a few days. Roberta was a baby then, and it had been months since I’d attended a crusade. My soul was hungry to hear one of Oral’s sermons.
The first night I was there, the arena was crowded, and I sat on the platform. I’m sure I must have sat with my mouth open while Oral preached, because a friend said to me, “Evelyn, if I had any doubts about your husband’s sincerity, they would have been dispelled as I watched you while he preached. I never saw anyone so intent on a sermon.” To this day I still feel the same about Oral’s sermons!
Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth . . . because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. —Deuteronomy 32:1, 3
