When the Bible that Matt Williams kept in the back of his car was stolen, he feared he’d never see it again, and the precious photos he kept tucked in its case would be lost. So he offered a short prayer: “Lord, it breaks my heart. I got a lot of stuff in there that means a lot to me, and I’d like to get it back. But not my will but yours, like you always say.” Just days later, Williams was stunned to learn that his Bible was found in a stolen car. It had been placed next to a Bible the original car owner kept on her passenger seat. Being reunited with his prized possession seemed impossible, but God answered Williams’ prayer.
In 2 Kings 6:1-7, we read about the prophet Elisha facing a seemingly impossible situation. He and a group of prophets were by the Jordan River getting wood to build a larger meeting place. As one of the prophets cut down a tree, “the iron axhead fell into the water. ‘Oh no, my lord!’ he cried out. ‘It was borrowed!’” (v. 5). The distressed prophet showed the prophet Elisha where it fell. “Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float” (v. 6). The prophet was miraculously reunited with the valuable lost item.
No care or concern is too small to bring before God in prayer. We can pray and ask God for help in any circumstance, and He can answer our prayers in unexpected ways.
When has God answered your prayer in unexpected ways?
What can you pray about today?
Dear God, thank You that I can pray about anything.
Of the many miracles the prophet Elisha performed, many involved everyday things and ordinary people, demonstrating God’s protection and provision. The miracle of the “iron axhead” (2 Kings 6:5) is one example. The iron ax was an expensive tool. Such a loss would’ve been costly for the prophet, and its restoration saved him from a huge financial debt. We see other examples of God’s care in the miracle of the abundant olive oil, which redeemed a widow’s debts (4:1-7); a young son restored to life (vv. 8-37); the provision of edible stew for hungry prophets (v. 38); and twenty loaves of bread feeding one hundred men (vv. 42-44). God cares about the everyday issues that trouble us. Jesus tells us to “look at the birds of the air . . . [and how your] heavenly Father feeds them” (Matthew 6:26). We can turn our everyday concerns to God knowing that He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
For additional reflection, read: How Not to Pray.
