Praying Confidently
The forecast called for a 50 percent chance of rain, so the Operation Care Golf Tournament, scheduled to raise money for a mission trip to Brazil, was in jeopardy.
However, the tournament planners and players prayed that God would change the weather. As of the night before, some still weren’t sure if they’d be teeing it up, but others knew that God could provide a beautiful day, if he chose to.
When we pray, half the battle is believing, in faith, that God has the ability to answer our prayer. I am one who prays confidently, and specifically. I rarely pray, “If it is your will, Lord…will you do x, y, or z?” I figure if it is not God’s will, he’ll say “no.” In Mark 11:24, Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
When I asked for good weather at the Operation Care Tournament, I prayed believing I’d received it.
“Lord I know you control the wind and the rain. I know you have the power to change the weather. I am believing you will provide a beautiful day for this golf tournament, so we can raise money for underprivileged children in Brazil.”
I prayed knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt God could improve the forecast.
Jesus’ disciples, out for a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, needed to grab hold of this concept. When a furious storm stirred up the waves so much they swept over the boat, the disciples became frightened, even though Jesus was on the boat with them. Jesus wasn’t worried about the storm. In fact, he slept through it.
In their panic, the disciples woke Jesus up saying, “Lord save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Jesus then astonished his sea mates by calming the winds and waves.
You see, the disciples forgot who was with them. They didn’t tap into the power available through prayer. They didn’t have the confidence that God Incarnate could change the weather.
Do you pray believing God can, and will provide what you need?
I’ve seen snowstorms dissipate. I’ve prayed, believing God would provide perfect weather for an evangelical event, and he did. Forecasters described it as “the most beautiful day of the year.” Coincidence? I don’t think so.
And yesterday, God took the 50 percent chance of rain out of the forecast, and we played golf with the sun beaming, and not a drop of rain in sight. I didn’t dare complain about the heat!
After the tournament, I traveled to College Station to get in place for a speaking engagement the following day, and about sixty miles out, it began to rain. I thought, God just moved the rain a little east. He has the ability to do that. Then I thanked him for his glorious answer to prayer.
Do you pray, knowing God not only has power over the elements, but can also transform a heart, mend a broken relationship, or heal a sickness?
Our God is an awesome creator with great power. Because of his love for us, he listens to our prayers. But he is more apt to answer our requests if we acknowledge his greatness and pray confidently.