One of the lessons the Old Testament stories teach us is that we can be certain God will answer our prayer even before we see the answer.

God doesn't answer your prayers. This thought haunted me repeatedly as I prayed.

“Every Sunday for years my husband’s parents have had a big dinner at one o’clock in the afternoon, and Jon wants to go,” Joanne shared over the phone. “He doesn’t ask me; he just says, ‘Let’s go.’ I think he should want to spend the time building our relationship. It’s not that we go every week, but it’s always looming up. I don’t know what to do about it. It’s really a bone of contention in our marriage.” Then she laughed, “Sundays come up so often.”

Carole learned that amazing things happen when you memorize Scripture. She often says, "Don't memorize Scripture unless you want God to change your life," because He will do just that as you take His Word into your heart.

After we had studied submission in our Bible study, a woman said, “Ted announced that we will move by the end of July. Earlier I would have fought the idea. But I prayed about it until I knew I could live anywhere the Lord wants me to. I then discussed my concerns with Ted. Within twenty-four hours, he said, ‘You know, I think it will be too much work to move.’ Then he began using the excuses I had earlier mentioned.”

A young pastor felt he should spend his time from dawn until noon in prayer, worship, and Bible study. That time became the joy of his life. But over the months and years, his duties increased and he began to cut off 45 minutes of his devotional time. At times, needing to meet the needs of the people he worked late, and he stopped rising at dawn.

Gwen came to my home one day and shared her recent encounter with God. She had became aware of a spiritual problem. Her feelings of resentment, hostility, guilt, and regrets had become a habit and seemed normal. After all she was human, she decided!

Susanna Wesley was well-known for the disciplining of her children. However, behind that discipline were many prayers and tears. Her children knew that daily she went to her room for secret prayer for them. An hour in the morning and another in the evening were set aside for communion with God. After prayer Susanna would rejoin her family, bright, cheerful, and calm.