When did you last pray? What did you pray for?
Maybe you prayed for your dream house or your project’s upcoming deadline. Perhaps you requested God to cure your on-going sickness. Or that you win the lotto so you can pay-off your growing credit card debt. But after a couple of week, months or maybe even years nothing happened. Is God selective when it comes to granting our prayers?
My friend Albert was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. They became so poor I don’t think they can even afford a spoon. His father died due to cancer when he was only 8 years old. The only inheritance which Albert got was the high hospital bills which accumulated while his dad was confined. The situation forced Albert to work at an early age to pay the hospital bills and provide for his family. He took on a variety of work in the following months which included selling of condiments in the wet market, a service crew in a burger food outlet, working overseas and salesperson in a mall. He even accepted a job offer as a lifeguard even if he did not know how to swim! One day, someone fell on the deep side of the pool. He tried to save the victim by asking him to hold on to the end of a long pole so he can pull him out of the pool. Maybe you know how that story ended. Management had to let him go right after they saw his lifeguard saving techniques.
Albert got tired of how his career was going which was going nowhere. He wanted to put up his own business. He found the right business franchise and all he needed was the funding and the right location. He was determined to push thru with his business plans and he prayed to God about this. He prayed that his own business may enable him to buy his own car and house. There is nothing wrong in having the desire to have your own car and house. But maybe God had other plans. Because, after several months, his dream remained a dream.
After a couple more weeks, he decided to change his prayer.
He prayed that God may grant him the right business so that he can support his family, especially his mother who was becoming sickly. Guess what? He found a good location for his business a week after saying his “new” prayer.
Maybe God did not want to bless him only. God wanted Albert to be channel of blessings for his mother and siblings. God granted his prayer only when Albert changed his motivation. God granted his prayer when his prayer was due to his love for his family.
This reminds me of the story of King Solomon. The newly crowned king immediately got his prayer request when he told God that he wanted wisdom not for himself. He asked for wisdom so he can the best king for God’s people.
1 Kings 3:5 That night the LORD appeared to him in a dream and asked him, "What would you like me to give you?"
9 So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?" 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this…(and God granted what he prayed for)
What did you pray for today?
- Don’t ask for financial blessings only. Ask for financial blessings so that you may help out people are in need of cash.
- Don’t ask for health only. Ask for good health so you may remain strong and healthy as you serve God.
- Don’t pray for a good job only. Pray for a job that will allow you spend more time with your family and serve your Church also.
Remember, you exist because of God’s grace. Live for God, follow Jesus.
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