Growing our faith

Last night was basketball night for a group of men at our church. It is always good to get out there and get some exercise, even though several of us are way past our primes. In January, I added a devotion time to our prayer time before we start playing. This has been a blessing. Last night, a person shared a testimony about faith and how his faith struggles from time to time. He commented we should have faith in fellow man to help us grow stronger in our faith in God. At first, I didn't get where he was coming from, until Joe got hurt.

Before we start playing, we always ask for God's protection over us, so no one gets hurt. Last night, Joe landed on another person's foot and rolled his ankle. He was on the floor in terrible pain. The first thing that I thought about was "wait a minute, God, we asked that no one would get hurt". I thought, what is everyone going to think about our prayer time with God? We have some people who come to play that do not have a real relationship with Christ. What will those people think? Will they lack faith in prayer to YOU?

As we helped Joe to the sidelines, I felt compelled to lay my hand on Joe's ankle and pray for healing and for relief from the pain. One other man had a hand on his shoulder as I prayed.

Let me ask the same question, "what will those people still searching think about prayer and faith?"

This is what I hope they grasp......

1) God doesn't answer all prayers the way we want.

2) God has reasons for the way he answers our prayers, AND we don't have to immediately understand them. This is where faith is needed.

3) Even though God did not answer our prayer for no one to get hurt, we still turned to HIM again for our needs. (Again...more faith needed.)

4) Prayers should be natural to a believer.......we should not hesitate.

Joe could not even stand after he got hurt. Five minutes after our prayer, he got up, gathered up his stuff, and limped his way out of the church. Did God hear our prayers that night? Absolutely. Did God answer our prayers that night? Absolutely. Did God answer our prayers the way we wanted? No. Did Joe feel God's presence after he got hurt? That one.....we need to ask Joe. I believe he did.

Hopefully Joe has some faith that the rest of us there last night care about him, and are there for him when he falls. I hope we all feel that way. Wait a minute....that would be having faith in our fellow man. You add in prayer...and maybe, just maybe......our faith grows in God. Sounds like something I heard earlier in the night. Very interesting.

Get well, Joe.....I am praying for you.