Written by Angela A.

 

 

Psalm 81:10

 

The Bible speaks much of prayer both in regards to God’s desire for us to pray, as well as God’s guidelines for prayer.  Our God loves us and wants us to communicate with Him and show our dependence on Him as He provides for us and blesses us because of His grace.  God has been so good to me personally and has answered several of my prayers recently.  The answer sometimes was not in the way I expected or wanted but always according to His plan for me which is always the best (Psalm 18:30).  I would like to share some of these experiences with you as a personal testimony to the power of prayer in my life. 

 

About a year ago, as I went into my last year of college, I began to think more often and more seriously about what the Lord would have me to do after I graduated.  With several options to choose from, my prayer was that God would give me wisdom and guide me clearly in His way (James 1:8; Psalm 32:8).  Over the fall and spring, all of the options I had pursued firmly closed one way or another, so the only choice left was to return to live at home and look for a job.  Although I was disappointed that some of them did not work out, I was also thankful that the Lord had directed me so unmistakably. 

 

In May 2008, I graduated, which was a huge answer to many small prayers over the past several years of school.  Many days I knew there was no way I could complete everything in my own strength.  The Lord gave me the necessary strength as I prayed that He would.  All of those days added up to weeks and semesters which brought me to the end of my formal education, only by the Lord’s grace.

 

Upon returning home, I began the search for a job that would help me pay the remainder of my school bills.  In the area where I live, it is often very difficult to get a good job.  I was praying that the Lord would provide exactly what I needed.  After 2-3 months of looking, I recently started a job that seems to be perfect for me—far above what I thought was possible!  Everything that I needed in a job—location, benefits, pay, hours, environment, experience, etc.—was included! 

 

How excited I have been to see how God has guided me and planned for me to have exactly what was best for me in His own time—no sooner but no later!  “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).  My prayer in sharing this with you is to encourage you to pray that God would give you His best for your life, whatever it is, and then follow as He leads you in His perfect plan.  There may be difficulties along the way, but you will have His peace and joy as you delight in Him!