Wait---Whaaaaat?!

With the National Day of Prayer coming up next week on May 7, I began thinking about the prayers I’ve prayed over the years for our country.  I’ve prayed that all of our leaders would turn to God.  I’ve prayed for wisdom for voters.  I’ve prayed for our country to stand for godly values in the world.  I’ve sought God for revival of the people of the United States of America. It is hard to see how my prayers have made a difference, but God assures us in His word that He saves up our prayers.  I have hope that my prayers are not wasted.

 For prayers closer to home it is easier to see results.  But most of the time God surprises me.  Here are some unexpected answers to ordinary everyday prayers.

• My mom prayed for a friend for my sister.  When God sent a boyfriend my mom said,  “I didn’t mean him!”

• I asked God for a new winter coat and He got me a job!

• I’ve been praying that the men of our church would have a zeal for the house of the Lord.  Suddenly Chris and another man in our church started to rebuild the sound system.  They have killed themselves off working 12 to 14 hours days.  I told the Lord I didn’t mean that—I thought that the men should lead small groups for Bible study

• I prayed that God would give us wisdom for what to do about the batteries in our Prius.  Suddenly, on a snowy day on my way home from Bible study, I had an accident and totaled the car.  OOPS!

• I prayed that God would make me into a prayer warrior.  It was through Moms in Prayer that I learned to pray of one accord. I ended up leading a group!

• I prayed that the Lord would make our church fruitful for children’s ministry.  Chris  ordered new banners for AWANA and we ended up with 25 new kids on Wednesday night.  I meant for God to send children on Sunday for Sunday school!

• I prayed that God would prosper our pastor and his wife and they ended up going into a bbq business.
• My most recent prayer was for God to raise up a Moms in Prayer group for my two granddaughter's elementary school.  Now we are moving to their area so I guess God is telling me to start a group myself!

There were many other answers that I thought were strange but it all boils down to this prayer by a 
confederate soldier:

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,

I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey....

I asked for health, that I might do greater things,

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things....

I asked for riches, that I might be happy,

I was given poverty, that I might be wise....

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God....

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things....

I got nothing that I asked for -

But everything that I had hoped for,

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am among all men most richly blessed.

                            Anonymous confederate soldier, US civil war