GUESS WHAT?!
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Mark 11:24 (ESV)
“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”
Matthew 7:11 (NLT)
Once upon a time, in a land far away—Afghanistan—a young warrior, a Marine named Hunter, was serving his country in a time of war. It wasn’t easy being away from his family and witnessing so much devastation and loss. Life there felt so different from the life he knew back home in America. The Fourth of July was just around the corner—one of Hunter’s favorite holidays. He loved the fireworks, the patriotism, grilling out… and watermelon.
Back home, his parents prayed for their son every day, morning and night. They prayed that somehow, some way, Hunter would be able to enjoy some watermelon on the 4th—even in a war-torn country where so much, especially fresh food, was in short supply and military rations were the norm. They simply wanted him to experience a small piece of joy in the form of his favorite fruit. When the Fourth of July arrived, they received a call from Hunter.
Guess what?! he said excitedly. Then, without missing a beat: You’re not going to believe this… but they gave us watermelon to celebrate today! It was a gift of joy for his entire troop. Hunter had no idea his parents had been praying for that very thing. When they told him, he was amazed—and so were they.
Why are we so often taken aback by God’s answers to our prayers? Scripture tells us to expect them, yet we still find ourselves amazed. Why? Because God is amazing.
He is a good Father who delights in giving us glimpses of joy, even as we walk through a broken world. So often, He gives us more than we ask for. And when we pray—truly believing—there are no boundaries to where or how He can answer. Even in the farthest places, He provides.
APPLICATION: Ask God for something that seems to be impossible. Ask believing and see what God will do.
PRAYER: Father, You never cease to amaze me. Help me come to You more often, asking with faith so that I can see more of Your goodness. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don't let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?