Day 20 - answers
As we approach the end of a year we all tend to have a bit of a look backwards to see what actually happened, how much progress was made, fondly remembering the good things and perhaps regretting or struggling to understand the bad things.
I thought I'd just give you a quick review of my year in terms of some of the things and people Ive prayed for and about and what has happened.
Right back at the start of 2019 an old schoolfriend of mine posted that his 18 yr old son had been involved in a catastrophic car accident. Jake was seriously injured and for a week or so it wasnt clear that he would survive and if he did, to what extent he would be able to function again. His Dad Simon put out an appeal on Facebook asking for prayer. ( Ive blogged about this before in the Lent Blog) With teenage boys myself ( and one just learning to drive) I felt a real and urgent connection to Jake and his family and we as a family committed to pray for him. We did so, as did many many others and slowly but surely over the course of this year Jake has made an amazing recovery. He still has some difficulties and might have lifelong after effects of the accident to deal with. But he is alive, well, speaking, walking, able to go back to college and has become a bit of a local celebrity due to his Dad's amazing blogging and upbeat attitude and Jakes own determination and grit. Its a real good news story and goes deeper than I can report here. But God definitely answered prayers.
Then there was Matt.
Matt is another teenager and the son of very dear friends of mine. For several years Matt struggld at school and seemed to be a bit of a misfit. He was unmotivated and his parents worried about him,, but then they discovered that he had a real talent for boxing and everything seemed to turn around. However, when Matt left school he got in with the wrong crowd, gave up boxing, and started to take drugs. It was a while before his parents worked out what was going on and by then he was thoroughly addicted and his life was falling apart. He couldnt hold down a job, was spending every penny he had on drugs and then started to become paranoid. he was really very ill and totally out of control. It was all very horrible. When we heard the full extent of what was going on we once again decided to pray. My boys would pray for Matt and for Jake every Sunday on the way to church. Heartfelt prayers for young lads they really didnt know. Very long story short, Matt got a place in a wonderful rehab unit where he has been introduced to the Gospel. He is now doing bible studies, talking about faith and making amazing progress. His parents describe it as a miracle and I really believe it is. A family which was so distressed that they were finding it hard to know how to approach God is now praising Him and looking forward with hope. Brilliant eh?
I continue to pray for my Dad three years after he was given a one year terminal cancer diagnosis. He has had no treatment but is still going strong. I believe its because of prayer and the fact that God wants to give him as long as possible to come to know Him. Im still praying about that!
And then there have been countless ' small ' prayers that have been answered all year. Too many to mention but each one significant and important at the time. I'm not sure if it is just my imagination, but somehow I feel that 2019 has been a year when the spiritual temperature has gone up a few degrees. More answered prayer, more prophetic awareness, more spirit intervention. Anyone else think that too?
It is good to look back and realise what God has been doing because it helps us believe that He is going to continue to do good things in the New Year. My faith is bolstered by rehearsing the goodness of God and reminding myself of what He has done. Scripture encourages us to do this. Why dont you take five minutes today to look back over what God has done this past year. And thank Him for His activity in your life and the lives of those you care about.
Oh and PS. If this blog makes it sound as though I pray all the time.... I dont! I really dont! Im pretty rubbish at praying. But I do try. And God loves a trier 😁🙏
I thought I'd just give you a quick review of my year in terms of some of the things and people Ive prayed for and about and what has happened.
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| Jake taking first steps |
Then there was Matt.
Matt is another teenager and the son of very dear friends of mine. For several years Matt struggld at school and seemed to be a bit of a misfit. He was unmotivated and his parents worried about him,, but then they discovered that he had a real talent for boxing and everything seemed to turn around. However, when Matt left school he got in with the wrong crowd, gave up boxing, and started to take drugs. It was a while before his parents worked out what was going on and by then he was thoroughly addicted and his life was falling apart. He couldnt hold down a job, was spending every penny he had on drugs and then started to become paranoid. he was really very ill and totally out of control. It was all very horrible. When we heard the full extent of what was going on we once again decided to pray. My boys would pray for Matt and for Jake every Sunday on the way to church. Heartfelt prayers for young lads they really didnt know. Very long story short, Matt got a place in a wonderful rehab unit where he has been introduced to the Gospel. He is now doing bible studies, talking about faith and making amazing progress. His parents describe it as a miracle and I really believe it is. A family which was so distressed that they were finding it hard to know how to approach God is now praising Him and looking forward with hope. Brilliant eh?
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| My Dad and me |
And then there have been countless ' small ' prayers that have been answered all year. Too many to mention but each one significant and important at the time. I'm not sure if it is just my imagination, but somehow I feel that 2019 has been a year when the spiritual temperature has gone up a few degrees. More answered prayer, more prophetic awareness, more spirit intervention. Anyone else think that too?
It is good to look back and realise what God has been doing because it helps us believe that He is going to continue to do good things in the New Year. My faith is bolstered by rehearsing the goodness of God and reminding myself of what He has done. Scripture encourages us to do this. Why dont you take five minutes today to look back over what God has done this past year. And thank Him for His activity in your life and the lives of those you care about.
Oh and PS. If this blog makes it sound as though I pray all the time.... I dont! I really dont! Im pretty rubbish at praying. But I do try. And God loves a trier 😁🙏
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