There are three answers to prayer: yes, no and wait. The answer of wait is the hardest to take; because I. Do. Not. Wait. Well.
Can you relate?
Thinking back over my life, I recall prayers He has answered.
He Said Yes
Recently, I shared how I had prayed regarding the purchase of a new (to us) vehicle. He helped us find one that fit our budget. It’s also fun to drive and I love it.
Speaking of vehicles, one “yes” answer to prayer that I recall was the healing of a vehicle. Wait! What? Yes, our car, our main source of transportation, would not start. At all. This was at the beginning of Jim’s illness and we were flat broke. Desperate for help, we prayed, anointed our vehicle with oil, and expectantly turned the key. Yes! It started right up and went for another two years before we replaced it.
I could go on and on about the “yes” answers to prayer. There is no doubt God gave me both my jobs because of prayer. I would not be on the path I’m on had I not became a ministry assistant.
He Said No
But sometimes, the answer was no. I’m recalling when we had our house up for sale 35 years ago. We were living in Indiana and prayed for our house in Illinois to sell. It did not. But God knew something we didn’t. He knew Jim’s job would not work out and it was best for us to come back home. We had a place to go since our house still belonged to us. Then, by the time Jim became disabled, our mortgage was paid off. Thank goodness, no house payments!
(My 5 minutes is up, but I have to tell you about the times the answer was “not yet.”)
He Said Wait
Many times, God has asked us to wait to see the fulfillment of a prayer. For example, when we were in our third year of marriage, we decided we were ready to start our family. But it didn’t happen. For the next seven years, we prayed and prayed. We had the elders anoint us with oil. We had friends pray the prayer of agreement. Still nothing.
In our ninth year of marriage, I was seeing a new doctor and related our fertility struggles to her. She told me that without some kind of fertility treatment it would be highly unlikely I would get pregnant. Talking it over with my husband, we decided if God had not sent us a baby by the time I was thirty; we would start treatments. (Fertility treatments are not fun and they are expensive!)
Later that same year, we attended a revival service and the evangelist asked anyone who was wanting children but couldn’t have them to come forward for prayer.
Three couples came. Three babies were born that year. That prayer forever changed our lives and our destiny.
Don’t tell me prayer doesn’t work!
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I just want you to know how highly I value those of you who visit my little piece of the cyberspace to read my words. I believe my calling is to encourage others with words of hope and blessing. Thank you especially to those who respond with comments. You make it worthwhile!
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This post was written in response to the prompt, “prayer,” given to the community at Five Minute Friday. In interest of full disclosure, I did write for 5 minutes, and then took more time developing my third point, and choosing photos and headings.
I’ll be sharing this post with the communities at Five Minute Friday and Grace & Truth, Inspire Me Monday, Tell His Story, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let’s Have Coffee, Recharge Wednesday
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All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using family and stock photos. Please do not copy.