Yesterday, I went to a baseball game located in Someplace, Sometown.
It was discount night--I'm cheap--and a bunch of the guys were going, so I decided to join for the fellowship.
While there, however, I found myself drawn to a man sitting by himself.
After taking the challenge of a friend of mine to follow my curiosity, I approached the stranger.
Without elaborating more, I tell you that it was an awkward couple of minutes.
I had a burden for the man, but I did not know how to meet him.
Finally, noting the rain-delayed field, I said, "They say that farmers tend to place faith in God and weather. Well, just so you know, I am praying for the rain to stop. Let's hope that it does." A few seconds later, I left him where I found him.
The rain did not stop; in fact, it got heavier and windy. Additionally, I was promised by another skeptic ("realist" is the better word), the rain would further intensify. Again, I said, "Well, I am going have to hunker down somewhere and pray that it doesn't."
I went to just out side of the overhang, which protects fans from the elements, and I leaned against a rail, and just closed my eyes, praying, longing, hoping. I said, "God, for these two men, stop the rain. Show them who you are." And I kept the prayer going, as I meditated on the Christian music that did play. (You see, it was church group night.) Well,
it was only the second or third song into my praying that something crazy happened. I stopped hearing the noise of the game, the music, and even praying for my intended request. I was worshipping God! Let me say it another way. God met me in a way that I have never experienced. All sensations dissipated as I turned my focus to the Answerer instead of an answer.
Eventually, I came back to earth...
The game was cancelled.
The good news, however, is that I humbled myself and so-happened to run across the paths of the two men, as they were leaving the game. I said to each, "Well, the rain did not stop. You were right, but I did pray. And I am going to keep praying. Take care."
The point of this lengthy message is to show how I was wrong about the rain; but, it is also to show God's faithfulness.
This is not a how-to on theology, life, or anything.
This is a simple testimony of how God showed up in an unanswered prayer!
It was discount night--I'm cheap--and a bunch of the guys were going, so I decided to join for the fellowship.
While there, however, I found myself drawn to a man sitting by himself.
After taking the challenge of a friend of mine to follow my curiosity, I approached the stranger.
Without elaborating more, I tell you that it was an awkward couple of minutes.
I had a burden for the man, but I did not know how to meet him.
Finally, noting the rain-delayed field, I said, "They say that farmers tend to place faith in God and weather. Well, just so you know, I am praying for the rain to stop. Let's hope that it does." A few seconds later, I left him where I found him.
The rain did not stop; in fact, it got heavier and windy. Additionally, I was promised by another skeptic ("realist" is the better word), the rain would further intensify. Again, I said, "Well, I am going have to hunker down somewhere and pray that it doesn't."
I went to just out side of the overhang, which protects fans from the elements, and I leaned against a rail, and just closed my eyes, praying, longing, hoping. I said, "God, for these two men, stop the rain. Show them who you are." And I kept the prayer going, as I meditated on the Christian music that did play. (You see, it was church group night.) Well,
it was only the second or third song into my praying that something crazy happened. I stopped hearing the noise of the game, the music, and even praying for my intended request. I was worshipping God! Let me say it another way. God met me in a way that I have never experienced. All sensations dissipated as I turned my focus to the Answerer instead of an answer.
Eventually, I came back to earth
... The game was cancelled.
The good news, however, is that I humbled myself and so-happened to run across the paths of the two men, as they were leaving the game. I said to each, "Well, the rain did not stop. You were right, but I did pray. And I am going to keep praying. Take care."
The point of this lengthy message is to show how I was wrong about the rain; but, it is also to show God's faithfulness.
This is not a how-to on theology, life, or anything.
This is a simple testimony of how God showed up in an unanswered prayer!
Last edited:
