However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. – Matthew 17:21

Last week I wrote about prayer requests being at what I felt like was an all-time high.  I vaguely mentioned a few, but I sure had one specifically for myself and my family.  It was one of those where my faith was kind of lacking.  I wasn’t really sure that God could do what I needed Him to do.  Maybe I knew He could . . . I just wasn’t sure if He would.  

Well, show up for me He did.  It was one of those mouth left open in awe kind of moments.  I had fasted and prayed all day.  There was a time at about 1:00 p.m. that everything in me wanted to quit and eat.  I happened to open Facebook and someone said they were joining me in the fast.  There was no way I was going to let that person just take my place.  It was exactly the motivation I needed to finish strong.

The next morning before I got on the bus to drive, I called my wife.  When my wife and I pray, it is usually for monstrous sized things.  I told her, “You know, we ask God for things together and He comes through for us.  Let’s not ask Him for anything . . . let’s just thank Him for what He did for us.”  We said maybe the simplest and shortest prayer ever giving thanks to God.

I write all of this just to say what happened next.  The flood of emotion that came over me and the tears I began to cry were nothing short of spectacular.  God filled me to overflow.  I could not pour out enough praise.  I could not stop saying “Thank You, God.”  My mind was flooded with “I don’t deserve it . . . How could You possibly come through like that for me?”  I just soaked in that presence as long as I could.  

When we read the Bible, it is easy to think that God showed up mightily for His followers all the time.  The truth is, most just had a handful of moments that they always remembered.  This is definitely one of a handful of moments that I will always remember.  I think over time I might forget the prayer He answered for me, but I will never forget the presence that flooded me after saying “Thanks.”   

Lord, I don’t even want to think of my ratio of answered prayers to “thanks” for those answered prayers.  I imagine it is pretty pitiful.  But, Lord, I want to say thank You right now for being the awesome God that You are.  Thank You for really and truly caring about me.  I so want my life to be pleasing to You.  Amen.