An Answered Prayer
“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Luke 18:1 ESV
My stomach knotted as I sat facing the airport exit. People crowded onto the escalator, each searching for their next gate and flight. The calm tone of my friend’s voice on my phone was the only thing that kept me from running back to my car and driving away. What did I think when I agreed to this meeting? Would we recognize one another, or would he walk right past me? Then, I saw him. To this day, I don’t know how I knew it was him. I just did. He was a short man, had a bit of a belly, and dressed in a blue Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops like he was ready for the beach. I felt my heart pound and cheeks redden as he made his way down the escalator. I tried not to stare, but to my amazement, he recognized me too. Without hesitation, he walked right up to me and gave me a big hug. As we reunited after twenty-four years, I thanked God for answering the prayer I had prayed for so long. That someday, I’d be able to meet and hug my biological father.
Jesus urges us to keep knocking on the door of heaven until we receive an answer. From God’s perspective, praying continually and not giving up because we don’t get an immediate response is valuable. God is still found in His temple, reigning as King over everything. He sees and understands the whole picture. Jesus, seated at His right hand, constantly intercedes for us while His Father listens to His prayers. Nothing can happen in heaven, on earth, or in hell that His heavenly rule will not prevail over. These are all reasons why we can trust God to answer our prayers in His perfect timing. Pray the impossible prayer. Trust God to make it possible in His time.
This devotion won 2nd place for the Advance the Kingdom contest at the Asheville Christian Writers Conference in 2021.
