I guess this is a small testimony though, but it could encourage someone in an everyday challenge.
I was having a simple breakfast of bread and tea. Though there was a fresh loaf of bread I decided to take the left over that was small and not so fresh. I thanked God for the “sumptuous” food and asked that I be able to feed at least one other person that day. And I meant this prayer from the bottom of my heart though the food was anything but sumptuous.
In the afternoon a friend called me and said he was bored at home and wanted to come visit me. I was hesitant because I had nothing to host him and there was no power, average afternoon temperatures now are about 35 degrees C. But he kind of insisted he wanted to come and suggested we should go to another neighborhood where I had built a hotel for a client some years ago to rest.
He drove about 30 miles to my place, picked me up and drove about 10 miles to this hotel. We had a good time gisting and encouraging each other over some soda, water and light chicken soup in an air-conditioned lounge.
After about 4 hours he brought me back to the house and gave me some money (surprise). Just as we were approaching my gate, I got a phone call from another friend, a neighbor who had gone to my house and had been told I wasn’t home. This friend was just outside by the gate, so I met up with him and he said he wanted to take me out to lunch!
And we went and had a very heavy lunch. When I got back, with the money the other friend gave, my wife and I were able to get some items and prepare a good beef stew for our home.
So that evening thinking back, I saw the hand of God to provide generously. Now I don’t know if it was as a result of my prayer at breakfast or a coincidence, but I had made a heartfelt prayer of gratitude over a very simple, small breakfast and asked for power to feed another. In His generosity I not only was well fed by one friend, another friend drove many miles to come spend some time with me and give me money to be able to feed my household for that evening to the next!
Praise God!
Yes, I believe God hears those kinds of unselfish prayers! I have a friend who says God always answers his prayer to show him someone to share the good news with that day.
Thanks Emory. God always surprises me with the attention He pays to even very small prayers. I was discussing this with my wife last night and we feel encouraged that as He hears these little ones, that means He is also aware of our BIGGG prayer requests.
I had read a testimony similar to your friend’s about a convert from Islam who prayed to God to be able to witness Christ to at least 10 people every day!!! I have realized that some new converts really put people like me to shame.
“Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
Whenever our request is centred on love for other people, God always honour our request beyond our imagination.
Shalom
Very encouraging Godwin!
Well, I’ve come to believe it can’t be a “coincidence” when saying a prayer that comes deeply from the heart! God does hear us and knows our hearts!
Thanks Luke, I believe you, it couldn’t have been a coincidence. The prayer came from the bottom of my heart. Looking back now I wonder why. I had prayed to be able to help someone else, but God rather raised two helpers for me!! He is really an ever present help.