Eleven years ago, I was reading a book about prayer where the author made a very heart-rending allusion to the fact that there are so many books in our libraries today about “prayers” but if we were to write books based on “unanswered prayers” no library could hold the volume of books that would be written.
Wow. Can you relate?
Honestly, I know I would have contributed a couple volumes myself. As a Christian, I pray for a lot of people, but what tops my list are things that I want for myself. After all he did say, “we have not because we ask not.”
By the way this blog post is not about “unanswered prayers” in my own life or else you would be reading this blog for the rest of your life. This is a post which will share with you something I prayed for in a rather intriguing way. I did not go on my knees, I did not fast, I just prayed to God with less than 3 sentences in a few seconds. So what’s my story?
A few years ago while I was enrolled in the College of Health Evangelism located in Wildwood, Georgia (USA) to be trained as a medical missionary, my nutilities teacher shared with me how she was blessed by God to have a car for her and her family. She told me that they went to share in a church for a weekend on health topics and one member came up to them and offered them a car for free.
Yes for free!
So with some godly jealousy on my part, I prayed in that moment for God to give me a blessing like that. A simple, silent prayer request.
Time went by and I would remember my prayer every time I passed a parking lot where I would see all of those nice cars parked up. There were many times when I would stop and just gaze on them, then for a few minutes I would imagine myself walking up to the owner and tell him that God said you should give me a car for free because I am a missionary and I can use it to enhance the Lord’s work.
Kinda crazy, right? Yep.
Well it never hurt to imagine and it sure does not cost any money to dream.
So as many of you may know, my wife and I have accepted the call to join up with Philippines Adventist Medical Aviation Services (PAMAS) as a medical missionary pilot. And so we have come to USA to fundraise for the pilot training and what a journey it has been for us.
Since last year October we have been in the USA and we have moved more than 14 times in over 11 different homes. Home is really where we stop next. Literally!
We are masters of public commute
Many times such journey would have us to be going from walking, to a taxi, then the train, then the bus, then an airplane, bus again, taxi, walk again and so on. It is not all the time we are blessed to have someone drop us off and pick us up.
Well, now we know New York City all too well. How? Got lost too many times.
Our longest travel adventure was going from New York City to Los Angeles, California. Four days and 3 nights on the train. The website said they offered pillows, blankets and they have shower area.
They lied. Or better yet, someone needs to update the outdated website for AMTRAK. We got nothing.
Also, to make our travel more organized, my wife and I have a simple but very effective strategy. She packs and I carry. It works, trust me!
Now if you think that 4 days and 3 nights on a chair on the train without a place to shower is bad enough, try adding your menstruation to that. Man, I really love my wife. I complained more than she did. She was enjoying the sceneries, taking her pictures and just having the time of her life.
God answered my prayer six years later
So after arriving in California about a month ago, I was introduced to two cars and I was told that I could use anyone I choose.
Really now? That’s just too good to be true!
So a few weeks went by when I was approached again about the car. No way!
Am I being given a car for free?!
Hold on this is the best part. This is a 1995 Toyota Avalon, it has been sitting in one place for two years and 24 months. Does this thing still run? Only one way to find out:
Add new gasoline….check!
Check the oil….check!
Charge the battery….check!
Turn her over and you will know if she still runs….check!
I did all of that and guess what?
She purred like a kitten in her master’s lap. Thank you Lord!!!
The answer to my prayer came in a slightly different package
I am now floating but I am still in the waters with this “answered prayer” gift from God. I need to know the details if this car is road worthy to drive around. So this week, I took it to the mechanic. Providentially, the mechanic shop is just two doors from where my current home is. He looked at it and said he is amazed that this old ride runs pretty good after sitting for two years. He said, “An oil change, tune up, four tires and you will be good to go.”
Nahhhh, too good to be true, right?
Well, here’s why I said the answer is in a different package:
- Fan and thermostat won’t work, hence it overheats a lot
- Axel will break at any time
- Struts are bad
- Needs oil change
- Tires need to be changed
- Needs to be insured
- Needs to renew registration
A grand total of $790 for parts and labor, but not including the tires, insurance and registration.
Man I should have met someone who got a brand new car for free and covet that kind of blessing. Who ever invented the saying “Be careful what you pray for” sure knows what they are talking about.
Usually missionary stories have some really nice happy endings right? Not this one.
But this one does not have a sad ending either.
I decided to take the time to pray some more and solicit God’s help with this car. And to my surprise, God provided someone to register and insure the car while someone else has opted to lend me $500 USD to give the mechanic towards fixing the car. (Not too optimistic about the loan though, because I never can tell for sure when I will have money for my own needs much more repaying loans.)
But guess what I am happy because God answered a 6-year-old-prayer, and He did it the same way I asked. I coveted my teacher’s free used car, prayed for one for myself and every time I pass the front of the house I see a tangible evidence that God does hear and answer prayers.
So maybe it is true that there are more “unanswered prayers” in this world but I can safely say God has never failed His children.
Even when God says no it is still an answer to our prayers.
We are not so happy with a no but He still hears and answers prayers.
Most of the times our finite minds think it’s a no when it’s a wait.
I don’t know where life will take us from here but one thing I know for sure when God blesses with the finances to get this car up and running we will be taking a vacation from all the “hassle and bustle” of commuting on public passenger trains buses, taxi and walks. Woohoo!
Do you have prayers that were answered after a long time? How long did you wait! Did you get the answer the way you expected to? We’d love to hear from you!
