What Will be the Harvest of Our Prayers?
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
1 John 5:14 (NIV)
Lesson #10 on a Journey to a Water Well
One of my favorite memories from our journey to a water well happened in September 2015. After dropping Henry off at preschool, I parked in the school parking lot and drafted several emails and lists of things to do.
After allocating the proceeds of Tim's promotion in August to the unknown well, we were on track to financially sponsor a water well by the summer of 2016.
But what water well and where?
At some point, pursuing God's will means pursuing logistics. After reaching out to two large ministries regarding sponsoring a water well, we were at a dead end. I was confident God had a plan. I just needed direction.
That morning, I shifted my focus to our new friends in Uganda and sent them the first email of the morning. I was eager to discuss their transition and how we might pray alongside them.
I felt awkward sending an email to a family we had just met but felt intimately acquainted with through the Spirit. It was uncomfortable because, in addition to expressing concern for their family, I also shared our hope to sponsor a water well in Africa and take our children with us to dedicate it. And I hoped the water well might end up somewhere close to where their family had settled as we would love to see how God was working in their ministry.
It was a far-fetched idea, but I didn’t have time to dwell on its absurdity,
Several more emails demanded my attention when my train of thought was interrupted by my cell phone. I didn't recognize the number and debated answering the call before I realized it was my friend calling from Uganda.
"Hey Dana, I'm in Uganda. Listen, I got your email and am busy walking as I work. I wanted to run something by you. I was wondering if you wanted your water well at our school. We found out two weeks ago that the school we're building will need a water well. Of course, bringing your children is safe, as it is a school for children."
You hear stories about people's lives flashing before their eyes moments before death seems imminent. Strangely, my spiritual life flashed before my eyes as he spoke. I remembered saying no to Africa as a young girl and everything between that and our present-day conversation and conviction for a water well.
At that moment, God's presence was palpable and unexpected. His glory was overwhelming. And I sat in awe of His pursuit and unrelenting love.
How did you do it, LORD? How did you put all the pieces of the puzzle together?
Not only does God save, but He also redeems. In the most inconceivable ways, He redeems our nos with yes. He refuses to leave us lost or misguided.
God demonstrated His intimacy by demonstrating His presence in the details of my life. And I realized this was the fruit of sowing a different type of prayer. Almost accidentally, I prayed God’s Word and inadvertently prayed God’s will.
I struggle to pray God’s will because I’ve struggled to know God’s will. But I’ve learned; praying God's Word ensures we pray God's will.
If we don't want to limit God by our limited minds, we need to pray God's Word, even if it is as simple as teach us, send us, or give us courage.
Maybe there will come a time when we will more quickly discern and pray the will of God. Consider Peter and John. They prayed for boldness to speak God's word after they were threatened, harassed, and intimidated by the Sanhedrin. (Acts 4).
It was a wise, albeit counterintuitive, prayer.
Why did Peter and John pray for boldness? Why didn't they pray for safety, security, or protection? And why are safety, security, and blessings the trademark of so many of our prayers?
Maybe God flipped their script. They understood their position, purpose. and God’s plan. They were there to serve God and accomplish His will. And their prayers reflected as much. That's why they prayed for boldness instead of blessings.
Too often, we forfeit passion and purpose for protection or sacrifice satisfaction for safety. Our lives are comfortable but anemic.
God is listening for prayers He can use to fulfill His Word and satisfy our souls. Even the prayers whispered out of naivety.
Providing a water well for the Amazima School resulted from the "use me" prayer. God prepared the well before we knew of its need. Not only did God forgive my, no, but He also planned to redeem my no. God used my mess to become His message.
The harvest of loving God is fulfillment, experiencing passion, purpose, and satisfaction. But reaping this kind of harvest will require us to sow a different type of prayer.
Maybe instead of praying for blessings, we should pray for boldness, instead of protection—His presence, instead of well-being—wisdom. Perhaps instead of asking God to serve us, we can seek to serve Him.
When we seek to serve Him, God forges an inconceivable path to doing immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. (Eph. 3:20)
Lessons Learned on a Journey to a Water Well
10. Learning to pray God’s Word and serve Him will empower us to say yes and set us on the path to finding fulfillment—experiencing passion, purpose, and satisfaction.
Want more? Start here.
1. Can you identify a theme in your prayers? (Blessings, Favor, Safety, Protection)
2. How can God use your prayers to advance His kingdom and fulfill His will?
3. Meditate on Ephesians 3:20. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us,”. Our prayers give God permission to intervene in our lives. How does the quality of our prayers impact the quality of our lives?
4. Challenge #1: Learn how to convert scripture into prayer. Each time you read God’s Word, spend some time learning how to convert the scripture into prayers. Keep a list for reference. For example, Lord, teach me how to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Or, Lord, help me hide your Word in my heart that I may not sin against you. Or, Lord, teach me to speak your Word with boldness.
5. Challenge #2: Incorporate at least one Bible verse into every prayer.