In the book of 2 Kings 4:1 - 7, we meet a destitute woman whose husband has died, and her two sons about to be taken away as slaves because of a debt. In human perspective, she had every reason to despair. But she had a refuge that the world did not know of. It was the refuge of prayer.

She went to Elisha, the prophet of God, and cried to him. In modern terms, this means she cried to God for help. That was the best thing she could do in that desperate circumstance. God heard and answered her prayer. We are well acquainted with the rest of the story. She went to the neighbors and borrowed empty vessels, poured her little jar of oil into every single vessel she borrowed. The story finishes happily.

WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN WHEN WE PRAY?

As we meditate on this old but true story, we are amazed by the complexity of the problem and the simplicity of the solution. How easy it is to just pour oil into empty jars! But wait a minute -- is that really so? Not at all! Even though the solution seems too easy, it defies the law of physics which governs the universe. The answer to the woman's prayer was a miracle.

Do you know that every answered prayer is the same as this one? They somehow break the fixed laws of the universe. So next time your prayers are answered, sit down and think about what could have happened behind the backdrop of your prayer. It can give you a moment of heavenly touch in your life. Let me share a little example of mine with you.

When we wanted Joseph (our first son) to learn to play the piano, we prayed to God to send us a piano teacher. The next day, we met a lady in church and asked her if she could teach my son, piano. She said she was not good enough to do it. But she can give us her second-hand piano. I was surprised by her words. It sounded as if God was saying to me, "If you really want to teach your son how to play piano. You may need a piano!"

I told her I will gladly accept the offer. But I had no peace. I learned that her original plan was to sell the piano because she had lost her job. A friend agreed to buy it, but at the last minute, changed her mind and informed her she would not buy it anymore. So I could take her piano.

On my way home, I prayed to God, "Dear Lord, I want to give her three hundred dollars for the piano. Please give it to me before this weekend is over." And I waited for God's answer. Sunday came quickly and it was afternoon. Still no answer. Then a deacon invited me to his house and asked me to give a message on his deceased father's 100th day memorial service.

After the service, his wife gave me an envelope. I thought to myself. "This is it. This must be three hundred dollars!"Normally, you can hardly expect someone to give you more than two hundred dollars for a short message. At home, I opened the envelope and exclaimed to myself, "Father, the amount is different!" Amazingly it was three hundred fifty dollars! I found out later, it took another fifty dollars to move the piano!

Days later, I meditated on this incident and thought about what could have happened behind the backdrop of my prayer. I could feel the hand of God controlling the hearts of men and the situation. First, He made a lady determine to buy a second-hand piano and at the last minute changed her mind. Second, God called a man to Heaven exactly one hundred days before this specific Sunday. Third, He inspired the deacon's wife to give an unusual sum of money for a short message. All these harmonized to have my prayer answered. What an awesome God we serve!

THEN, WHY NOT PRAY?

My dear workers, do you want to enjoy the privilege of imagining the backdrop of your answered prayer? Then do pray! It is our job to pray and follow instructions God gives us just like the widow who followed Elisha's instruction. Sometimes, God's instructions may seem a little odd, like borrowing empty jars. (What good are empty jars when there is nothing except a little oil in a jar.)

When we do our best according to His will, then it's His time to work. When He works, he can easily break the laws of the universe to fulfill His purpose because He is the Creator of everything. And you will be amazed to see His mighty hand working for your benefit. How do we see it? Of course, by meditating the backdrop of our answered prayers!

DAVID RA
Asst to the Regional Director
CEF AP Family News
Apr-Jun 2007