“It’s like a spiritual bomb in this place, like little atom bombs all over the place.” The power of prayer, that is, according to Manuel, our current host/coordinator here at YWAM Darwin. “I am a bomb, and I will explode all over Darwin.” Basically the message is that the power of prayer is much greater than we can imagine. He listed several examples when prayers were prayed to God and were later answered. For example, evangelists related to YWAM prayed over a house for whatever reason during a walk, and unbeknownst to them those who lived there were brought to Christ within a matter of hours. Those who prayed found out the following week (though it doesn’t really matter if they ever found out, does it?) Another team searched to find a good location for the YWAM center, and someone was drawn to this particular location for whatever reason, and prayed over it. Sometime later, voila, YWAM has that very location as a home.
Why, then, are we sometimes surprised when God answers prayers? It’s in the Bible, God’s complete book of complete truth, that He will hear and answer our prayers. Seek, Ask, Receive. Plain and simple. (Matthew 7:7-8) Sometimes, however, your prayers may be answered much differently than how you anticipated. “That’s not how I meant it God, and you know it!” His response may be something like, ‘I know, but trust in me. Good will come from this. I love you more than you can comprehend or emulate. ‘
Here are a few true examples of how God answers prayers in my life and those near me:
Pretty much anytime I pray for patience, I get stuck in a line at the grocery store where the person in front of me is loaded with local papers and coupons, demanding a price match and that the cashier honor a coupon that’s only one day past expiration. Then they pay with a check. If I change lines to another that’s moving fast, that number that indicates what register I’m in front of will inevitably light up as I near it, requiring the assistance of a manager, who happens to be on the other side of the store with their radio turned off. OR, I get stuck at every red light, mostly if I’m already late. Yup, God has a sense of humor, but it does teach patience. After all, what good is patience if you don’t practice it? So you ask “Why would I pray for that? That sounds silly.” The next time you’re stuck with a flight that’s delayed 4 hours, think of how patience would make you a lot happier in that moment. Patience can give way to happiness when others are bogged down in scheduling.
I prayed for years that God provide me with a wife who would be incomprehensibly compatible, someone who would challenge me and urge me to grow, someone who could be my best friend, someone I’d never get sick of, someone who could help me define love. After several failed relationships, I was ready to give up and be a mountain man. No, seriously, I was planning on going to Alaska to be a legitimate mountain man. Yup, no more relationships for me. Kaboom! Here she is, Brian. The girl of your dreams. Michelle. You’re welcome.
A fellow World Racer recently contracted Dengue Fever. If you’re unfamiliar with this mosquito borne disease, Google it. He had to seek medical attention promptly. It became increasingly difficult to continue. He described it as putting him in somewhat of a trance-like state because his body was too hot and uncomfortable to sleep, but he was too sleep-deprived to not need sleep. Of course his team elected to pray for him collectively. He was then able to sleep and began to feel better the next day.
So don’t underestimate the power of prayer, and please pray for me and my team as we continue to be refined by the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. Also, please pray that God continue to provide the financial resources I need to continue this journey. Thank you!
