The Answer to a 7 Year Prayer

Seven years ago this month we were displaced from our home due to a hurricane named Wilma. We made the decision to move back to Tennessee.

The hardest part for me was leaving my mom.

My mom and I are very close. She is one of my best friends. While living in Florida, we spent a lot of time together as we were only separated by a few miles. 

Moving so far away meant that wouldn't be possible anymore.

Our first Christmas here was the worst for me.

I was lonely for her and spent much of the holiday season in tears.

I began to take my hurt heart to God in prayer during this time. 

"Abba..." 

I asked for what I thought to be the impossible on a regular basis

...for my mom to move here to be with us.

Pray about everything. 

With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

For seven years I prayed this one prayer.

Sometimes the prayer was in conversation, but other times it was a wail from deep within. Sometimes I couldn't even get the words out because it hurt so much.

When we don’t know what to pray for, 

the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.

Romans 8:26b

There were days that I wondered if my prayer was heard

 and other times I knew He was listening. 

I kept praying that one prayer. 

"Abba may I have her with me?"

There were times I begged, times I raged, and most times I wept. 

But I kept bringing this one prayer to Him through it all.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: 

that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

1 John 5:14 

A couple of months ago the answer to this seven year prayer began to happen. 

My mom called to let me know that she had made the decision to sell her house and move to Tennessee to be with us.

"Abba could this please be happening?"

Within a few weeks her house was sold and the plans were taking shape.

Jesus looked at them and said, 

“With man this is impossible, but not with God; 

all things are possible with God.”

Mark 10:27 

In a few weeks I will be travelling to Florida to bring my mom home with me.

Let me just write that again...

In a few weeks I will be travelling to Florida to bring my mom home with me.

I don't tell you this story to share the power of my prayer. 

No. 

I tell you to share the power of my Abba who answered my prayer.

He heard every word of every prayer for the last seven years.

He bent down to listen to them. 

Because he bends down to listen,

I will pray as long as I have breath!

Psalm 116:2

I share this with you to encourage you to keep praying that prayer.

Your prayer.

Never. Stop. Praying.

Always be joyful and never stop praying. 

Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. 

This is what God wants you to do.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Today I am thankful for the answer to a seven year prayer.

"Oh Abba...thank you. Thank you. Thank you."