The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a person with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
(James 5:16-18)

One summer, our friend Joan took her disabled husband, Tom, for a walk down the path of a nearby park. Tom, despite his wife’s support, floundered halfway through their walk. His strength evaporated, and he simply could go no further. With no other alternatives, Joan prepared to leave him in order to get some help.

Despite her desperation, Joan paused to pray. When she lifted her head, a police officer was coming down the path on a bicycle.

“What made you come down this way?” Joan later asked the officer. He said that the city council had recently approved a greater police presence in the park, and this was the first day for the new policy.

Joan knew that the policeman’s presence had actually been approved by a higher authority. Before she even asked, heaven was answering in the way God knew was best for his children. He always will do what is best, when his children ask.

Prayer: Lord, throughout this day, help me to turn to you in prayer, knowing that you hear me and delight to answer my prayers in the way you know is absolutely best.