Once upon a time, there was a boy who wished to have a bicycle. He asked his parent to buy him one but they asked him to pray for it. The boy prayed, "Jesus, I wish you buy me a bicycle". The next day, the boy woke up excitedly and ran to their garage only to say that there was no cycle. So he prayed again, "Jesus, you might not have heard me yesterday. So I again wish you buy me a bicycle". But he did not receive one. He then irritably went and prayed, "Jesus, I'm warning you, buy me a bicycle", still he did not get one. Out of anger, the boy went to the chapel, left a note under the crucifix and took the statue of Mother Mary. The note states, " Jesus, I have your mother and won't return her until you buy me a bicycle".
Sounds funny huh? Let's dig deeper. Aren't our prayers also like this little boy? We might pray once, twice, thrice, sometimes even longer. But often when they are not answered it leads to bitterness and loss of zeal in prayer.
Now, moving on to another instance;
There was a woman dedicated and faithful to God. Despite being provoked and scorned by her rival, she did not fight back but looked to her God in prayer. Her being considered a curse did not abstain her from offering yearly sacrifices to God. This continued worship and sole dependence moved God.
Sounds funny huh? Let's dig deeper. Aren't our prayers also like this little boy? We might pray once, twice, thrice, sometimes even longer. But often when they are not answered it leads to bitterness and loss of zeal in prayer.
Now, moving on to another instance;
There was a woman dedicated and faithful to God. Despite being provoked and scorned by her rival, she did not fight back but looked to her God in prayer. Her being considered a curse did not abstain her from offering yearly sacrifices to God. This continued worship and sole dependence moved God.
We might end up in seemingly same moments wherein God alone is our refuge; remember, these moments are not in vain. The end result would be beyond human understanding.
Hannah who was scorned as a barren produced 6 children among which was the changemaker of that generation, Prophet Samuel.
1 Thessalonians 5: 16- 18 says, ' Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you'.
Let us also rejoice through a trial, pray without ceasing in a storm and worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Ansu Susan Oommen
Ansu is a student of Delhi University and a youth leader in Crossway. She can be reached at ansususan9828@gmail.com
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