Thanksgiving seems like the perfect time to look back at my prayer journal to see how God has answered my prayers this past year. I believe that God answers all prayers — by saying “yes,” “no,” or “not now.” He always has our best interests at heart, so if he doesn’t answer prayers as we request, it’s because it’s not right for us and he has something else in mind for us.
So here’s summary of some of the answered prayers this past year (private petitions omitted):
Healing of friend’s sister of pneumonia
Guidance for friend’s decision to go on mission trip (she went)
Raise up leaders for BSF (4 new leaders answered the call)
Dismissal of lawsuit brought against family member (dismissed in Sept.)
Healing of grandma’s pneumonia (eternal healing)
No glitches in cousin’s wedding in Indonesia
Countless petitions for safe travel
Motivation to post regularly to blog (hope the answer’s obvious)
Motivation to finish initial draft and editing of Teachings from the Trail book (finished in August)
Protection from injury while biking and horseback riding
Strength to give up caffeine and pop (success!)
Reconciliation of two marriages
Friend who was told she couldn’t have a baby 8 years ago gave birth to son
Smooth transition for friend’s cross-country move
Healing of friend with cancer (eternal healing)
Remission of cancer for three people
Reduction in size of cancerous tumors for two people
Full recovery for 7 year old who had heart surgery
Hope and provision for Alpha group member
Draw new (right) pastor to position at Hosanna (Ryan Alexander)
Smooth bypass surgery and full recovery for friend’s mom
Smooth heart surgery and complete recovery for relative
Provision for several self employed friends, family members and me (all continue to make ends meet)
Frequent help for me in leading meetings, small groups
Guidance in decisions about clients/new clients for my business
New jobs for four people (still praying for several others)
Peaceful rest for grandma amid her battle with pneumonia
Strength and comfort for those who said goodbye to loved ones this year
How can I think God is anything but faithful as I look over this partial list of answered prayers? It gives me hope for those petitions I continue to bring to him — for economic recovery and job growth, for a cure for cancer, for healing of friends undergoing cancer treatment, for peaceful relationships, for loved ones to come to faith, to bring him honor in all that I do.
Happy Thanksgiving! If you have a minute today, think about all the ways God has answered your prayers and blessed you.
