What do we do when God answers our prayers? The story of Abraham's chief servant finding a wife for Isaac has spoken deeply to my heart, as I also hope it will to yours. When he came to Abraham's country, he prayed:

Genesis 24:12-14a – O Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a girl, "Please let down your jar that I may have a drink," and she says, "Drink, and I'll water your camels too" — let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. (NIV)

God answered his prayer. But when the servant went to Rebekah's home, what did do?

Genesis 24:33a – Then food was set before him, but he said, "I will not eat until I have told you what I have to say." (NIV)

How many times have I prayed, and God has graciously answered, and yet I have kept from the world the part that God played in my success? How many times have you done the same? It is not that I do not give glory in my heart to Him for answered prayer. It is not that I do not give glory to Him amidst His people, for I do. Yet, when it comes to people of this world, such testimony is not always received well, and so, sometimes, and perhaps far too often, I have kept the most important part of the story to myself. I do not give the glory to God publicly for fear of offending others or making myself an object of ridicule. And yet, God has said through the apostle Paul:

Romans 10:13-14 – Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (NIV)

These verses are meant for all of us as God's people. Many around us are entrapped in their sin and unbelief, and we hold the key to their freedom through the testimony which God has given to each of us through answered prayer. When we withhold the full story of our success from the world, we also withhold the key to their salvation and freedom in Christ. By telling our story in a quiet and respectful manner, however, we offer to all who listen the opportunity to know God better. Whether those who hear do accept the key we offer through our story is not the point. That choice belongs to them and them alone. The point is that we are to glorify God publicly so that others, indeed, may at least have the choice of salvation set before them. With God's help, this is something that I am endeavouring to do more often. How about you?

Prayer: Father God, forgive us when we neglect to tell the world the whole story of our success: Your answers to our prayers. Embolden us through the power of Your Holy Spirit to glorify You publicly, so that unbelievers may be given the choice of salvation as often as possible. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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