I am reminded of the woman, Hannah’s, prayers, recorded in the Bible. She continued to pray and weep to God for a son each year. With tears and pleading, she implored of the Lord to open her womb. She was willing even to give that child back to God to be set apart, and Samuel was born. Great things happen when we pray.
Perhaps we didn’t give Jack bigger things to pray about and we should have. Jesus said we should have faith like little children and I, motivational mom that I am, told him that if we have even a little faith, we can tell the mountains before us to move and they will. Jack wanted nothing more this year than to see mountains of snow. He’s still short, thankfully, so the mountains he has prayed for have not had to exceed his height, but he’s over three feet now. He began to pray at meal times. When fall began, each time we’d pray, Jack would interrupt and say “... and please let the snow be over my head.” Breakfast, lunch, dinnner, bedtime - Jack interrupted. On the bright side, through correction, Jack has now learned to wait for the pause in prayer before sharing his request, but each time, he added his on the end.
Winter came - early. We had plenty of snow in November and December this year, and in January we had 53” of snow, the second snowiest month on record. Not yet satisfied, but confident that God was hearing and doing, and with 24” on the ground, Jack persisted. “Lord, please let the snow get higher than this.” We had had about enough, but we endured his repetitive sentence - at least three times a day. Last night we had a blizzard. Heavy system snow has pelted one-third of the nation. Now, the snow banks are over Jack's head.
I don’t know if any other kids are praying in agreement with Jack around the world, but one thing has happened this year, Jack has gained confidence in prayer, something most adults lack. We’ve read in God’s Word that the angels of children are always before the Father and he has learned to take advantage of it. My oldest boys have been witnessing Jack’s persistence, as have mom and dad. An invaluable seed of faith has been planted in this cold winter. In a season when life struggles to endure amidst harsh conditions, we are watching answers to our own prayers for conviction and faith in our three boys. The world looks different when we pray and trust that God answers our prayers. The world, with faith, is a world where hope never dies and where what we see doesn’t confirm what is real.
When are we going to believe? Do we toss prayers to God hoping he’ll have pity on us or do we pray with confidence that prayer moves the mountain before us? Jesus wondered aloud several times at the doubt and lack of belief present around him, even in his disciples. I have been praying for God to heal my unbelief as I commit to prayer this year for those around me. In answer, God put it on my child’s heart to show me how to plead persistently to the Lord for the desires of our heart. Our master said, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24) We are humbled at the faith of a child. His eyes sparkle as the snow falls, knowing his God is faithful. Joy in found in answered prayer, in the encouragement of God Most High as he participates in our lives at our asking. No prayer is too complex for a faith this big, for a heart that hasn’t been hardened.
