The Bold Prayer
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (John 7:9-11)
Two weeks ago, I prayed a bold prayer while driving in my car. I asked for the Lord to provide a way for me to visit Israel. I’ve always wanted to go, but for some reason, it hasn’t worked out. Years ago, I was scheduled to go on a trip, but the State Department cancelled it because conditions were not favorable for travel there.
I have numerous reasons for desiring to go. Although I did not know him because he died before I was born, my father was Jewish. I also didn’t know anything about my Jewish ancestry until I came across a cousin’s genealogical research of my Jewish ancestors, the Adler family. I found out my great-great grandfather, Joseph Adler, traveled to the United States from Baden, Germany to Chicago, Illinois where he opened up a clothing business. I saw photos of cousins with yamakas on. I saw the family tree, and a new understanding of my Jewish family opened up.
More importantly, I longed to go to Israel to walk where Jesus walked, to see the sites of so many miracles, and to place a prayer in the Wailing Wall, now called the Western Wall. It was a desire of my heart.
So on Thursday of this week, I listened to the testimony of an area Messianic Jewish Rabbi. Not only was I fascinated by how he came to Christ, his transformation happened in my hometown of San Antonio! I thought that was cool. Afterwards, I told him what a great job he did and shared that his testimony was especially meaningful because of the San Antonio and Jewish connection.
It was then he asked me, “How many times have you been to Israel?”
I sheepishly answered, “I’ve never been.”
He replied, “I think it should be a requirement for everyone in ministry to go to Israel. I am taking a group of pastors to Israel in December and there’s still room. Do you want to go?”
Did I want to go? ABSOLUTELY! But I was worried about the cost. He told me the amount, and it seemed too good to be true. But then the Rabbi told me the price was slashed because it was a group of pastors going, who might bring their own tours back to Israel one day.
I thought, Is God answering my prayers already?
I had one more hurdle to cross before I knew this was meant to be. My husband had to approve. I asked the Rabbi to pray about this, and I prayed that my husband would say yes.
Those who know me, know I am a straight shooter, so I prayed and called my husband on the way home. I needed to know yay or nay right away. When I called him, and told him about the opportunity, which would now be my Christmas and birthday present, he didn’t ask questions, he didn’t say he’d think about it, he said “OK.”
“What?” I didn’t have to justify the trip. I didn’t have to fight for it. I didn’t have to explain how I was going to pay for it. Just, “yes?”
It was a sign from God. This is my time to go back to the homeland of my people. This is the time to understand more fully what I read in the Word, and what I teach about to women. This was a blessing from my husband, and is a good and precious gift from my Father in Heaven.
When I opened up my email that night, there was an email from the Rabbi saying, “Israel is calling.”
I write this post with tears streaming from my face because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Israel is calling, and the timing is right. I wait with anticipation for what the Lord will teach me in the land of his chosen ones.
Do you pray boldly for the desires of your heart? If not, what’s stopping you? If your requests are within God’s plan for your life, he is ready and willing to give you, his child, a beautiful gift from above.
“Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!” (Psalm 107:31)