The Bible teaches us that whatever we ask for in prayer, if we believe, it will be given to us. I have tested this teaching at times in my life and can honestly say that sometimes it seems to work… but at other times it doesn’t. One might conclude, therefore, that the results are determined by the amount of faith we had when making the request; however, that presents a whole new dilemma.

I remember a time when I was in my early teens… a violent thunderstorm produced a giant tornado. I saw it coming straight for my house and ran to the basement with my family. We all sheltered there and prayed for the tornado to change its course. Miraculously, it did, and destroyed another town a few miles away from us. If that was a result of our prayers being answered, would that make us responsible for the death and destruction caused by its altered course?

I once tested God, as Gideon did, and the results were quite surprising—not in the way I was expecting, but in a manner that only God could respond. I had made a vow never to ask for money, but instead, always be grateful for what I was given. I lived that way for many years, and even though things got tight at times, I always had enough to get by. Then a coworker came into the picture, and she could raise twice the amount I raised every month, primarily because she begged for it from supporters. I became jealous and asked God why he blessed her more than me. My prayer was, “Lord, please prove to me that you are really in control of my funding in the coming month.”

We traveled together to the bank on the first of the month, and she went to the window first to collect her check. It was for a little over $500.00, and so I assumed that if God answered my prayer, mine would be at least that and maybe much more. I walked up to the window and gave my name, but the teller said there was nothing for me. I asked her to recheck because I knew I had automatic monthly deposits coming in from two supporters, but she assured me that nothing had come in. I left the bank confused; however, as I thought about it, I realized that God had proven to me that he was in control by stopping all funds, including my automatic deposits, both of which were renewed in the following month with the explanation that they had changed banks.

Was it really God’s answer to my request… or was it just another coincidence? Either way, it taught me not to question where my funding comes from, but instead, to accept, with gratitude, whatever Life gives me.