And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1 John 5:14 (KJV)
At the beginning of the spring semester, a good friend from high school visited me at college.
We kept in contact as she traveled, but after she got off her last train, she sent me a frantic text:
I FORGOT MY PURSE ON THE TRAIN!
She fortunately had her phone in her hand, but everything else, besides her backpack, was left behind.
The first instinct I had was to pray, and I replied to her that I did afterwards.
In the meanwhile, an employee searched the train, and she had gone to the lost and found at the station, but nothing turned up. Despite this, she had a great attitude about the loss, and we still had a fun weekend together. Nevertheless, I was a bit bummed and confused that she hadn’t found the purse, especially since I did believe that God heard my prayer and would answer it.
A few weeks later, I got a message from my friend about something she had forgotten to tell me. Days after she had returned from the trip, she received a package in the mail from someone that contained her purse and everything (including money) still inside it.
When I heard the news, I was utterly shocked and overjoyed. I was happy that she found her purse, and even more in awe that God had answered the prayer–even though I had forgotten about it.
Even when we forget about what we have asked the Lord, He hasn’t forgotten our requests, so we must remain submitted to Him.
Submitting to God means that despite the outcome of our prayers, we will still trust and follow His direction. We can have peace in this, knowing that He knows our needs. He is taking care of us, although He might be doing so in ways we don’t expect.
I had no idea that my friend’s purse would be returned in such an uncanny way, yet the fact that it was completely unharmed made the situation a larger testimony of how God works. She could have found it at the station, but instead, the purse was returned in a way that was out of her control–proving that a bigger miracle was behind it.
God hears every one of our prayers. As we wait on Him, we can have confidence and excitement knowing that He is preparing a great testimony in our lives of His faithfulness.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Hebrews 10:23 (KJV)
LizMargaret 