In my prayers I don’t really ask God for things. I’ve always felt like it’s stupid to ask for things because God already has a plan. I thought if God wanted me to have something, well, he would just give it to me. For example, when we first got here a bunch of people got sick. As a squad, we came together and prayed that they would feel better. But the whole time I was thinking, “Why would we ask God for this? Maybe He is trying to teach them something through being sick.” I wasn’t seeing the point.
But the other night I realized something about myself- I’m scared to ask God for things. I thought I wasn’t asking for things because I didn’t see a point, but really I’m afraid. Afraid that God won’t give me the things I’m asking for. And if God doesn’t give them to me then that will give me a reason to doubt. The last thing I want is to be a skeptic, so why would I even ask?
Then I started to understand that God is a good God and he is not going to withhold good things from me. I was taking away from a really important part in my relationship with God. What’s a better way to grow in my faith then to ask for things and get to see His provision? God wants to give me the desires of my heart!
This month my team switched to a different ministry. Our new ministry is called Metro Ministries. Their goal is to reach kids in the slums and show them Jesus. Everyday they do an afternoon program with kids in the area and we’ve been helping out. I think what they are doing is awesome, but at the same time It’s been a really hard change for me. Leaving a ministry I connected so well in and then having to start all over again has been tough. I’ve been missing not seeing those kiddos everyday.
Coincidentally, on Saturdays our new ministry parters with our old ministry to put on a youth group for teenagers! I knew we would be going to our old ministry site but I didn’t expect to see any of the kids from the school there. They are too young to go to the youth group, plus it was Saturday so there was no school. But with my knew discovery in prayer I thought I might as well ask God. So, in my quiet time that morning I prayed I would get to see just one kid from my old ministry. Just one. Either way, I was excited just to go back and get to see the school again!
The second I stepped of the bus I was so excited. I think that place is always going to feel a little bit like home. My team and I walked around some and then made our way into one of the rooms. Lo and behold the first person I saw was a little boy from my old ministry! I was so shocked I had to ask one of my teammates if he goes to the school just to make sure (even though I totally knew he did). I was so happy I couldn’t stop smiling! I’m still smiling about it actually.
Later the youth group was worshiping and I look out the window. And guess who was standing there! My favorite little boy, Hugo! And he was blowing me kisses!! Not gonna lie, when I saw him I started crying a little bit.
Not only did God answer my prayer by giving me a kid from the school, he also let me see my favorite kid!!! This might seem simple, but it was an answer to a prayer- my first prayer where I felt like I could confidentially ask for something. I feel so encouraged and filled with God’s love that he is pouring down on me! I’m excited to be going and growing deeper with the Father. What a privilege!
Psalm 27:13-14 “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
I’m seeing the Lord’s goodness and I am loving every second of it!!!
