By an Alliance worker serving in a creative-access country
For the last four years, my wife and I have worked with upper-class professionals who are among the most difficult people to reach in the world.
Believers back home often ask us to share our success stories. They are usually thinking in terms of conversions. But we’ve had to redefine what success is. For us, it is opportunities to pray for our local friends.
With the many gods they worship, these people don’t receive answers to prayer. After seeing that Jesus answers our prayers, they always take us up on the offer to intercede for them. And many see specific answers when we pray.
One of our friends, Susan*, said Jesus knew when our package would arrive. (She was aware we were expecting one in the mail.) It was a little thing, but she and our other local friends have noticed how strongly we believe in prayer and have seen God’s power on our behalf.
Jesus Is the Answer
Since then, I have had several opportunities to speak into Susan’s life as she opened up about a personal issue. One day I told her, “You know there is an answer, don’t you?”
“Yes,” she said. “It’s probably in the Book (the Bible).” I told her that Jesus is the answer and shared with her from the Scriptures. We then moved on to other topics. That’s what we often have to do—give a little, then wait, give a little more and then allow our Father to work.
Susan left her office for a week’s vacation to visit family. She texted me to say her train ticket was not yet confirmed; she was worried that she wouldn’t be able to go.
I stopped to pray for her and then texted back, “I’m sorry to hear that. I prayed for you and trust your ticket will be confirmed soon.”
“Thank you!” she replied. “I know that Jesus answers all your prayers.”
The next day, I received a call from Susan. She said her travel arrangements still weren’t confirmed and that she might as well return to work.
While we were talking, I could hear someone speaking in the background. Suddenly, Susan said, “I just heard that my tickets are confirmed!”
“What did I tell you?” I asked. “You were worrying for nothing.”
“Yes,” she said. “It’s just like I told you—Jesus always answers your prayers.”
“That’s right, Susan,” I said. “Now don’t forget what just happened.”
Several months later, Susan called me one evening. She asked me, “Why does Jesus always answer your prayers?”
What an opportunity to share about the relationship my wife and I have with our Savior! I told Susan that He wants to answer our prayers because He loves us and we love Him.
We praise the Lord for those kinds of successes, and we pray for these seeds of truth to draw our friends ever closer to Jesus.
*Name changed
Pray
Intercede for Alliance workers around the world, including those in creative-access countries, as they build relationships with people who are hungry for truth. Use the weekly Alliance Prayer Requests to assist you.