About a week ago after spending my morning time in the word and praying, I ended this time of praying with the words, “Father. I ask you to USE me, SURPRISE me and BLESS me today - In Jesus Name, Amen.”
The day was going well as I was at our home office, working on ministry things and getting caught up on phone calls and emails when I received a phone call. The person calling was not a surprise but what God lead this person to do was a surprise. He had called to check on me personally, and to ask about the ministry and how things were going in Brazil. After giving him a brief update and sharing what God is doing, he said, “I wanted you to also know that I have been meaning to send you a financial [gift] and wanted you to know that my wife and I would like to get to you a check in the amount of $ 1,000 for the ministry.” WOW, what a surprise…what a blessing…God answered my prayer.
James, the brother of Jesus reminds us in his letter, in chapter 4, verse 2, “We have not because we ask not.” And Paul in Ephesians 3:20 states that God is able to do more than we can imagine.
You see, praying POSITIONS us for what God has for us - his answers and the blessings that He has already set aside for us. We just need to ask and when we do, He will answer in His time and according to His will for our lives. When God does surprise you and bless you, then you can be used by Him in sharing with others what he did and encouraging them. It all begins with ASKING!