Throughout the past few months, I have been “shadowing” the kindergarten teacher at our church’s Christian school. Each day, she asks the students if they have any prayer requests to add or remove from the class prayer list. It is obvious from their expressions that they then consider what they could add to the list.
Some mention ill family members, while others want to ask for a new bunk bed, the latest Transformer toy, or even a new kitten. One of the students specifically asked for prayer that his Lego set would stop breaking. I tried not to laugh; however, this request caught my attention because of how sincere the boy who made the request seemed. As the teacher prayed, she made sure to mention his Lego set. While this may seem silly or small in our adult eyes, to him, this need was a big deal.
Earlier that same morning, as my children and I were about to leave for school, I could not find my car keys. I looked in all the places I thought they could be, but I found nothing. I began feeling frustrated and panicky; I confess I got upset. My husband saw my frustration and said, “Here, take my keys. We can look for yours later when you get home.” During the entire drive to school that morning, I thought, “Where could my keys be?” Unfortunately, I let those lost keys ruin my morning and affect my spirit.
With my head bowed in that kindergarten class, I asked the Lord to forgive me for being upset and frustrated over lost keys. I asked that He please help me to find them. The Lord then tugged at my heart during the prayer, reminding me of a verse I learned as a kindergartener myself: John 14:14, which says, If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
I thought about my lost keys all day, wondering where they could be. When I got home that night, I looked in many places—even where I knew they would not be. I just wanted to find those keys so I could relax! Finally, I gave up the search and sat down. My husband decided to help in the search, and in the first spot he looked, he found them. All I could feel in that moment was happiness and absolute relief!
Have you ever been frustrated about your lost keys? Perhaps, you are thinking of something other than keys that had you praying and searching everywhere. What if we were to seek after the Lord with the same fervor I had when looking for those keys? Jesus wants us to pray and ask Him for our needs. No request is too small or too big to ask of Him. God is waiting to hear from us, whether it is through prayers for a Lego set that keeps breaking, for help finding lost keys, or for forgiveness from our sins. We can ask for restoration, wisdom, comfort, healing, the mind of Christ, growth in our Christian lives, strength in a trial, or help while enduring temptation. Just as those lost keys were important enough to me that I asked the Lord to help me find them, our needs are important enough to God that He wants us to bring them to His feet. He cares for us, and He wants to meet our needs.
Whatever need is heavy on your heart, remember He is waiting to hear from you about it. Take it to the Lord today.
by Mandy Harper
