Hurricane Ivan - God Hears Our Prayers, Big or Small (A True Account)

Back in 2004, Hurricane Ivan hit the coast, which is about 200 miles or a little less from the city in which we lived at the time.

I remember being so surprised how far inland

the storms and tornadoes that resulted from

that hurricane came.

We lived in an older part of the city at the time,

and all the transformers blew.

We were without power for about three days or so.

A couple of our neighbor’s trees fell on our fence.

We just could not believe how powerful the storm was that far inland!

John 14:13-12 “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (Emphasis added.)

Matthew 21:22 “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Emphasis added.)

James 1:6 “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (Emphasis added.)

So, with no electricity, television or any technology devices working for a couple of days, our family actually had to slow down and spend more real time, or quality time, as they say, with each other. We played board games, talked more, ate together more, etc. I thought it was great!!! I believe all families should turn the television off for about a month and see what happens.

Right before this time, the women at our church were having their annual big RENEW Women’s Community-Wide Bible study. We were studying about the importance of being specific when we pray, as well as that God does want us to ask Him in prayer concerning even the little things, as He is a big God, and cares even about the little things in our lives. That is how we come into an intimate relationship with Him. We always feel fine about praying about the huge problems in our lives, but, hey, He can handle it all. He is God!

So, anyway, the weather was actually comfortable during the days without air conditioning, which was unusual. It wasn’t until that third day, that the humidity started to set back in and it was starting to get a little uncomfortable. We wound up having to throw out everything in our refrigerator as it went bad.

We decided, since it was so humid inside the house without air conditioning, to go to the other side of the city, that had electricity, and go to a movie, just to get out and get into air conditioning! For some strange reason, our son did not want to go. He was a teenager then and, of course, probably did not want to be seen with his mommy and daddy. Ha.

So, we got into the car and drove by all the downed power lines, etc. and headed to the other side of town to see the movie.

On the way, I was thinking about our women’s Bible study and about asking the Lord even about the little things, as He truly does care about it all and does want to be involved in every aspect of our lives no matter how big or how small.

I decided to pray and ask the Lord, and I was a little apprehensive, as I felt selfish asking for this due to the thousands who were suffering greatly from the hurricane. I was just thinking to the Lord, “Heavenly Father, it sure would be nice if only the electricity would be on when we returned from the movies, as it is getting a little humid, and I know I am being selfish as there are others suffering, and I ask that you to bless them and keep them too, and forgive me for my selfishness. In Jesus’ name. Amen”

I then told my husband that the power would be back on when we returned from the movies. And he asked how did I know that, and I told him I had asked the Lord about it. He had kind of a funny look on his face, but he did not say a word.

The moment we pulled into the parking lot at the movies, my cell phone rang, and it was our son who said, “Guess what?” And I said, “The power is back on.” And he said, “How did you know?” So, I told him I asked the Lord about it. About that time, my husband was looking funny, and so I told him, well, the power is back on. And then he asked if I still wanted to go to the movies. Ha. Funny man, well, of course I did. We are here.

On our way home, it was dark by then, we saw the strangest thing as we turned onto our street and went up the hill to our home. We noticed that all the power was on in everyone’s home right up until our home, and then complete pitch darkness after our home. It was like the world ended right after our home. You could not see a thing. That is how dark it was-----eerie.

So our home was the last home on the street to have power. When we pulled into the driveway, I could hear a commotion outside. There were a lot of teenagers next door outside fussing about something, I could tell. Then I heard what they were saying once I got out of my car. They were asking us, with an attitude, “Hey, why is your power on and our power is not?” So I promptly replied, “Well I asked the Lord for just the power to be back on when we returned from the movies.” Dead silence, I did not hear one peep out of those teenagers again.

We went inside and glorious cool air fell upon our faces and we praised the Lord, and I thanked Him for creating Benjamin Franklin and for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity and the lightning rod!!! Ha. Then my husband all of a sudden said, “Oh man!” I asked, “What’s the problem now?” He said. “The cable is not back on!!!” I said, “Well, now you are just being greedy, and plus I remember asking the Lord that only the power be back on.”

So, we watched a DVD in the cool air conditioning.

@ Faith Reaper July 16, 2012 (All rights reserved.)

Please enjoy this video of Natalie Grant's. It is awesome and so beautiful!!!