A Miracle Story and a Specific Prayer

   You may have noticed I have been sharing miracle stories of God’s goodness in my life. My hope as I feel led to share these experiences with you is to glorify Jesus above all and to inspire you to greater faith. I hope these stories of trusting Jesus and watching Him do the miraculous will bring you to a closer walk with Him and an Ephesians 3:20 kind of faith, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

   If you have been following this blog since our walk through Nehemiah’s building of the wall in Jerusalem, this miracle story will be familiar to you. It is one of my favorite memories to draw on when I need a faith reminder. It is a story worth repeating. This is an example of being specific in your prayer life.

   I was single and I needed a new car.  Money was tight.  I prayed and asked the Lord which of the men from my singles’ group I should take with me to the auto dealer.   I heard Him say, “If you take someone with you, I will not get the glory”.  Okay, this made sense to me and I wanted God to have glory in this situation. I also believed He was inviting me to trust Him to be my provider at this moment, so I did.   

   I then prayed for the car I wanted.  I asked for four cylinders to save on gas mileage. I asked for four doors to save on insurance. I was shopping for a used car and had an idea of how many miles I wanted it under and how many years old. I said I did not need bells and whistles, I could still roll my windows up and down, and so on.  I needed to get a certain amount of money for my trade-in car and I needed the dealer to give me a certain amount of money (cashback). I needed to pay a bill off so I could afford a car payment. You must know what a big deal this was because cash-back deals were for new cars not used.

   When I finished the list of what I thought I needed, I said “Oh, and if you could make it blue, that would be great.” Then I immediately felt wrong for asking for such a selfish thing as a paint color. I should just be grateful. I apologized to the Lord.

   The day I went shopping for a new car was the day after a devastating flood had taken place in the Pacific Northwest.  I was the only person on the lot for about five hours, lunch break included.  I met a salesman and we looked at cars.  I told him what I needed in four cylinders and doors.  He took me over to the Pontiac Grand Am section.  My heart sank a little.  I was bringing in a Toyota Tercel, quite a bit of difference in prices.  I was sure I could not afford a Grand Am, but I went along with him feeling a divine peace.  I knew I would either walk away or he would eventually get me to a car I could afford.  We test drove a green Grand Am, with no bells and whistles, but it met other criteria.

   I took a lunch break and called my bank and they assured me the prices were fair.  I went back and began negotiations.  It was a used car.  My car needed repair.  I told them what I needed to get for my car and I needed cashback and the car I was buying needed to be no more than so many dollars.  I was a fresh-faced twenty-something.  They looked dumbfounded by my request, but I was sitting with my God and I knew I had His favor. I also knew I could walk away from the table at any time. 

   The first man excused himself and came back with a second man.  I reiterated my needs – not my requests.  They left and by the time we were done, it was this twenty-something me and four men plus the manager in the room. I was seated and they were all standing over me, bearing down on me. They were really not for this deal and the intimidation tactics were in full swing. I simply said with no malice, just the truth, I did not need to buy a car today. I was willing to take no for an answer, I was not trying to negotiate.

   They agreed to give me everything I asked for.  I knew my God was with me.  Yet in my heart, I said, “But, Lord, it isn’t blue.”  A pang of guilt washed through me and I apologized – again.

   Pretty soon a man came back into the room and said something to the effect of, “I’m very sorry, but there seems to be something wrong with the car.  Come take a look.”  I went with him and to my amazement, there were dents all over the top of the car and the trunk as though someone had taken a baseball bat to it.  I assure you; I looked the car over carefully before I test drove it and there was not a scratch on it.  I knew God was up to something. 

   The man apologized and said, “We have another Grand Am comparable to this one.  It is a little newer with fewer miles, the only problem is the color is different.  This one is blue, is that okay?”  I shared an internal smile with the Lord as praise went up in my heart between me and my good God. I kindly accepted their offer and went to look at it.  I saw it was a pale baby blue and my heart sank as I said to the Lord in my heart, “It’s not the right color of blue.”  Again, with the guilt and the repentance.  I was starting to become quite disappointed with myself and my ungrateful attitude.  I went back to wait some more and tried to convince the Lord and myself I was grateful.

   The man came again to tell me there was something wrong with the baby-blue car, as well. The seals were not tight around the windows and the car was filled to the seats with rainwater from the torrential rains of days prior.  He said, not to worry, though.  “We have one more Grand Am.  It is a fleet car, has six thousand fewer miles on it, is a few years newer, and has power locks windows and more.”  It had all the bells and whistles, and it was royal blue – the right and perfect blue. I stood amazed.

   The salesman who had been helping me all day was so happy for me. He took me right out to the car and was practically gushing as he showed me all the little blessings the Lord had just bestowed upon me.  I was just simply amazed by my great God’s kindness toward me and His attention to the details. 

   I realized then how important it is to pray the details even if just so I can watch the miraculous hand of my God move on my behalf.  By the way, my scripture verse for the day was, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20).  The verse following is appropriate, “To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:21). 

   Whatever you are needing in your life right now, pray the details. Whether you are looking for a spouse, car, home, job, a new church, or healing in a relationship pray the details and surrender the outcome, so you can “taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8a)! Then go and share your miracle story to glorify His name. Amen.