BECAUSE YOU PRAYED
22nd Jul 2015
Isaiah 37:21 says of King Hezekiah, “Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib....” here is the answer. There are many situations where we worry but do not pray. We can debate present world crises without praying, but the catalyst for God’s intervention is always prayer.
In preparing for the family celebration of our Golden Wedding, we have been putting together a slide show of old photographs, some funny, some weird, many poignant bringing back good memories. When Ben (our youngest) was about 6 years old, we were living in a Christian community, where Ben had a bike handed down from his older siblings which he loved to ride around the estate where we lived.
Two boys from Germany came with their family to stay in the community, and while Ben was at school they used his bike, and being a little older and heavier the bike was soon wrecked. Ben was very sad, but there was nothing we could do to restore it and to be honest it was getting a little small for him.
So Ben began to pray for a new bike, and every night he would thank God for his new bike. We would listen knowing there was no extra cash around to meet the need, so it was really up to God. Weeks and weeks went by, and still every night we heard him thank God for his new bike. We had some heart wrenching moments!
Imagine our surprise when a letter arrived from Germany addressed to “Master Ben”! Whatever could it be? Inside was a letter from the parents of the two boys who had used Ben’s bike, saying “Thank you, we knew the boys wrecked it, but you didn’t make a fuss and we want you to have a new bike.” A generous cheque was enclosed.
The new bike was bought, and I can still remember the joy and surprise we felt. Ben’s response was, “I did ask God.” He had done, and I believe his simple faith enabled God to act on his behalf.
Pray, believe, thank and wait for God in situations ranging from personal to national. Don’t become fatalistic! Our God is mighty and well able to act and answer.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
