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Matthew 22:37 – Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." (NKJV)
On a recent Wednesday, I went to the hardware store to try and get parts for a leaky tub faucet. The man in the plumbing section was very helpful. He took the old part and said that he could try to take it apart so that we could replace the O-rings to see if that would fix the problem and save some money. He explained that, because of its age, it might not come apart. I replied that I was a man of faith, so I was sure that he would get it apart.
He looked at me inquisitively, so I told him that I was a pastor.
"Praise the Lord," he said with excitement, and proceeded to take the valve apart.
He was very happy to share that he, too, was a Christian. As we talked, he told me about his son with whom he'd had no contact for awhile. His son was living on the street, heavily into drugs, unsuccessful at trying to clean up his life, and had even been kicked out of detox.
There was a bench on display in the aisle, so I said, "Let's sit and pray for your son."
We prayed, and then I went on my way.
The repair job didn't work, so I went back early Friday morning to get a whole new valve assembly. I met up with the same man in the plumbing department. While searching for the right valve assembly, I asked him if he had been able to connect with his son.
He hadn't.
I told him that I could relate to his experience, and explained how we hadn't talked to our son for over eight years. Having gone through some emotional struggles, he had walked out over eight years ago. He sent a message once in those years to say that he was okay, but that was it.
He immediately took me over to our "prayer bench", and he prayed for our son. That was at about eight o'clock on Friday morning.
It was a busy Friday, so it wasn't until around midnight on Friday night that I checked my emails and discovered an email from our son saying that he wanted to reconnect. Wow! What a surprise for us — an answer to years of prayers! We immediately phoned the number he had given us, and we talked. By 2 o'clock in the morning, I was still unable to sleep from the excitement, so I went downstairs and reread the email. Although I hadn't opened it until midnight, I discovered that he had sent it at 8:02 Friday morning!
We are communicating every day and have his word that he is coming to visit soon. When we see him face to face, then we will know that it's real. And we are blessed.
Philippians 4:4,6-7 – Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
God always answers prayer — but in His own timing. Sometimes, we have to wait for the answer, and sometimes, it is immediate. Sometimes, we like the answer, and sometimes, we don't. Just remember, He always gets the glory! If you are praying for something that doesn't seem to be getting answered, keep the faith; keep praying; keep trusting. The Lord is in control.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we rejoice in Your sovereign grace and give You the glory. Thank You for answering prayers. We love You, Lord our God, with all our hearts, and with all our souls, and with all our minds. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Beautiful story Alec and a good application.
Isn’t God good to answer our prayers at just the right time. Blessings.
Thank you for your encouraging words. My daughter has been gone for almost 17 years. I know where she is but no communication. I pray for her return but God is either saying, “no” or “not yet”. God bless.
I have just read the devotional you wrote and want to say that I am so happy the Lord has answered your prayers for the reconnection with your son. Praise the Lord!!
May you be blessed with this reconnection!!
I hope your new friend at the hardware store is as blessed with news of his son as you were with news of yours.
Alec, It is hard to imagine the emotions felt when contact is lost with a child for whatever reason. Hopefully you will soon be reunited with your son physically and all will be well.
(Texas)
Good morning Pastor Alec, thank you for your testament today clearly depicting God’s grace in answering prayer and His love for those that continue to trust, believe and give Him the glory. Perhaps soon there will
be a follow-up devotional, a sort of “chapter two”, if you will. Hope and blessings.
I know not what to say, save the eternal promises of our beloved Lord and Saviour Jesus “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy Burdened, and I will give you rest …”
Thank You Jesus.
Be Blessed.
Thank you Alec for sharing this encouraging story. The genuine love to persevere when dealing with something like drug addiction is always to be admired. It is even more so when that love stems from a love of God and trust in His power to save to the uttermost.
God bless you future efforts.
Blessings.
Dear Alec Niemi,
Thank you for sharing those amazing answers to prayer. Keep meeting to pray and rejoice.
Said our Lord: “Again I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:19,20).
Praise the Lord. Hallelujah!
I am praying too.
Keep writing. We need the sequels.
Good morning Alec,
This scripture was just what I needed for I have been carrying (unwillingly) a load of anxiety that was affecting me in all areas of my body and mind. Other related scriptures have been pouring into my mind and the pressure has lifted this morning reminding me that my Lord is with me in and through it all. So I am rejoicing and thanking Him for hearing my prayers. Nothing has changed but He has changed my attitude.
Thank you for your timely devotional.
Thank you for your devotional today, thank The Lord for answered pray.
I can in someway relate to your testimony, I also in my younger years disappeared from home after my mother’s sudden death. I am the eldest of five children and watched my father violently abuse my mother throughout my childhood and just had to get away. That was my way of coping. But to cut a long story short while away from home I gave my life fully to the Lord and said Lord I will do whatever you want me to do, go wherever you want me to go. I ended up offering for full time ministry, and now after serving the Lord for over twenty years in various appointments am a Retired Major in the Salvation Army. Sadly as I write this I am a Disabled patient in an Infirmary. Please pray for my healing, as I promise to pray for your Son to come Home.
Hello,
Your devotional gives a tangible example and reminder of how God works in our lives. With society always pushing us to want instant answers, such as we can find on the internet when seeking information, we sometimes forget that this is not how God works. Things happen in His time, not ours, and that is how it should be.
And even though we all know this — that God does answer prayer in His time — we still need reminding. I know I seem to need the reminder at times such as now.
Over the past few years, when I’ve had doubts with one prayer, I have had the answer come “be patient.” Each time that I begin to wonder if I should give up, within a day or two, I’ve had someone start talking to me about an unrelated matter & I hear the words “be patient, things happen when they’re supposed to.”
During yesterday’s service as always, the minister paused for people to make their private prayers that reside in the hearts known to God. I did as well but on my drive home, I asked God if my prayer is foolish, should I give up? Shouldn’t that for which I’ve prayed have happened by now?
This morning, the daily devotional was the first email that I opened. When I read your words, and read the reminder of when things happen — always in God’s time — I knew I had received my answer. So, I shall continue to pray and be patient.
May your words have reached other readers in need of a prayerful answer as I felt today. And please do continue to send your submissions for though unknown to you, they will always be the right words at the right time for someone to read.
God bless!
How true Alec. Thank you.
I’ve had a similar proof of the effectiveness of prayer. Such a Faith strengthener. How the Heavenlies rejoice with us on these occasions.
Blessings.