When Hannah was infertile she prayed desperately for a son. – and God answered! (Desperation)
Hannah was unfortunately barren. She was ridiculed and humiliated by the wife who could easily bear children. So, Hannah pleaded with God for a son, promising to give him back to the Lord:
1 Samuel 1:11
This child was Samuel, who became the greatest prophet in Israel’s history, who maintained direct communication with God throughout his life. In addition to Samuel, God gave Hannah 3 more sons and 2 daughters. When we are willing to give our best to God, He blesses us with more!
Peter is in prison for preaching the gospel; the church prayed for his release. – the prison was shook! (Persistence)
As Christian faith began grow, the religious Hebrew governor, King Herod Agrippa, arrested Peter and put him in prison.
Acts 12:5
One night, an angel appeared in Peter’s jail cell and led him out of the prison, through doors and past guards. Peter arrived at Mary’s house, where the church was gathered praying; the servant girl was so surprised, she forgot to let him right in the house. Sometimes, God answers our prayers so quickly, it surprises us!
When Jerusalem was under siege Hezekiah prayed to save his people. – and God answered! (Deseperation)
The powerful Assyrian king Sennacharib had laid siege to Jerusalem. King Hezekiah, who told his people to keep their faith in God, prayed for delivery from their enemy:
1 Kings 19:20
That night, the angel of the Lord killed 85,000 Assyrian soldiers, which compelled the rest of the army to return home without a fight. Whenever God’s people follow His plan, He wages war on their behalf!
Jairus asked Jesus to heal his daughter so she wouldn’t die – God answered! (Compassion for another)
Jairus, a synagogue ruler, risked his position in his faith community by making a request of the new religious teacher, Jesus, right in front of everyone:
Mark 5:23
Jesus tested Jairus’ faith with a stop along the way to heal a sick woman, so before Jesus got to Jairus’ house, the little girl had already died. But Jesus was planning more than a healing—he told Jairus to believe. Jesus entered the house and raised the girl back to life! Jesus wants to exceed our hearts’ desires—he wants to resurrect our faith!
Moses asks God to see Him (Closeness)
In this conversation, Moses asked for God’s blessing on the Israelites and for God’s presence to go with them as they traveled. Then Moses asked to see God’s glory—God’s very personage—up close:
Exodus 33:18
God responded by tucking Moses into a little cleft on Mt. Sinai and covering his view until God stood before him. Then God removed his hand and allowed Moses to view His form from the back. What was the result of this encounter? Moses so greatly resembled God’s brilliance that he had to wear a veil over his face so the Israelites could look at him. How much of God’s presence could we witness and represent, if we worshipped like Moses?
Hezekiah prays because God tells him that he is about to die. (Healing)
When King Hezekiah became deathly ill, the prophet Isaiah came to him with a message from God that he would die. Hezekiah prayed and cried to God.
2 Kings 20:3
Before Isaiah had left the palace, God instructed him to return with a new message: “I have heard your prayers and seen your tears; I will heal you… I will add 15 years to your life.” God responds to us when we remain in relationship with Him; He may even change His mind!
When Elisha and his servant are surrounded by the enemy, Elisha prays for God to reveal His power (Discernment)
Elisha’s prophetic abilities were thwarting the plans of an enemy king, so the king sent a battalion to surround the city where Elisha was, to launch an attack. As Elisha’s servant panicked, Elisha prayed,
2 Kings 6:16
So God gave the servant the ability to see a vast army of heavenly hosts in fiery chariots, encircling the enemy. Then Elisha prayed for God to blind the enemy army, which He did. Next, Elisha led them away from the city. If we could see God’s protective celestial army encircling us every day, realizing that they are blind to His power, we might have the faith to do whatever He asks of us!
A thief on a cross asks Jesus to save him before he dies (Mercy)
While Jesus suffered on the cross to provide us salvation for our sins, two thieves hung next to him. While one of them ridiculed Jesus for allowing Himself to be crucified, the second asked for forgiveness.
Luke 23:42-43
Jesus forgave the thief during His dying moments. It’s never too late for a spiritual transformation!