The Story of a Returned Instrument.
Many years ago I had a bass guitar stolen from our church. The church’s insurance didn’t cover the instrument so I lost a guitar that I really enjoyed, and it was somewhat unusual.
My wife and I prayed, and asked God that the guitar be returned. We checked the want-ads from time to time in the newspaper to see if the thief was selling the instrument. And, one day we saw a bass guitar that seemed to fit the description.
It turned out to be my guitar. The police recovered it and returned it to us. I don’t think there were any repercussions for the guy that was selling it.
The Holy Spirit’s urge was an opportunity.
Would the instrument have been recovered without prayer? I don’t think so. The Holy Spirit’s urge was an opportunity. Prayer is contrary to this world’s religion of “everything that happens because it was meant to be.” Prayer always changes things; often, it changes the ones who pray.
My guess is that you can write a list of answered prayers as long or longer than mine. Isn’t that marvelous? Doesn’t that stir up joy within us? Time after time after time after time, we have prayed to the Father in the name of Jesus, and God has changed times and circumstances.
As I’ve written before, the fourteenth chapter of the book of John is a place where we can find refuge when we’re in the midst of a storm. In this chapter, Jesus tells us that we have a home waiting for us in heaven, that we have not been left as orphans, and he promises us the Holy Spirit.
Jesus gave us His name to use.
In John 14:21 (ESV), Jesus says, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.“
And in John 16:23-24 (ESV), Jesus says, “In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.“
Jesus gave us His name to use when asking of the Father. If we are found to be embezzling from God, then our prayers become powerless because we’ve lost our credibility. But, if we obey the commands of Jesus and we walk circumspectly (Ephesians 5:15) then when we pray in the name of Jesus we will witness things beyond what we would ever ask or think. Don’t let the world lock you in: “It was meant to be.” Prayer truly changes things.
Photo by Skullector R on Unsplash
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https://rockexcavationservice.org/worn-out/