Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. Even all the hairs on your head are numbered. So do not be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)
The night was thick with hot air and loud worship music. As the evangelistic festival in Tamil Nadu unwound, three Indian college students pressed through the crowd for prayer.
“The Hindu landlords won’t rent to Christian girls and for months we’ve tried to find a safe place to live.”
The ladies pulled their shawls over their heads and bowed while I lifted a prayer to heaven on their behalf. Swirling into the muggy ether was faith—mostly theirs—and doubt—mostly mine. After I said amen, I could see their fear was gone. They knew Father God would take care of them. Even if nothing more happened, our prayer was already a success.
When Jesus compared us to sparrows he said we’re precious to God. We matter and we’re not ignored. We are encouraged to pray for our needs, then wait on God’s answer. My job is to trust that his reply and timing are better than my understanding of what is best. I have to transfer responsibility for the outcome from me to him. When that happens, my prayer is successful no matter what the outcome.
Jesus never said we’d always make sense of God’s answers, but he unequivocally promised we’d never have cause to fear. Prayer that takes away fear is the definition of successful prayer.
The girls returned the next evening bubbling with excitement. Our prayer had been answered that morning and they had a place to call home. I knew it was really answered the night before when trust had chased fear from their hearts.
Prayer: Compassionate Father, thank you that I can wholly trust you.