“Your blog saved my life today.” This was an unexpected greeting from a co-worker. I knew Nancy was a regular reader of this blog. However, her words left me stunned and curious. I asked her to explain. With her permission, she said I could share it with you too.

A few months ago, Nancy’s husband drove her to an out-of-town meeting. On the way, she began to read It’s Not My Fault – or Is It? As she read through the post, a sentence reminded her she needed to pray. She felt a distinct impression to pray about their trip.

Whether it’s words on a screen or a song on the radio, I’m amazed by what God uses to get our attention. Have you noticed a tug on your heart causing you to look in His direction? And yet, prayer is much more than a look in God’s direction; it is laying our request at His feet.

Whether it is offered in silence or with a shout, prayer is the most important conversation of any day.

Nancy began to pray for safety as they continued down the highway. Moments after her “Amen” a car careened towards them. The driver swerved several times, nearly colliding with Nancy and her husband.

As their car came to a stop, Nancy was shaken by the near miss and grateful for the answered prayer. I was sitting on the edge of my spiritual seat as she continued her story. Nancy quickly connected the prompting to pray with the protection they received.

We talked about the power of prayer and the many ways God intervenes. It’s no wonder Scripture directs our focus to the throne of grace. I thanked Nancy for sharing her story and I thanked God she and her husband were okay. While the results of our prayers are significant, the purpose of our prayers is to see God.

Therefore, after we say, “Amen” we have to embrace His Sovereignty. It is His divine authority to choose whomever or whatever to accomplish His purpose however and whenever He chooses. It’s easy when His choices bring a smile to my face. It’s tough when what He allows causes a break in my heart.

And yet, amen means yes. As this word punctuates our prayer, God’s desire should settle in our soul. Sometimes life comes at us fast, like the car swerving towards Nancy. Other times, events slowly unfold. Either way, my knees can’t stay bent forever. Eventually, I have to get up and live what my prayerful moments – or not choosing to pray moments — mean.

What happens in the moments after you say, “Amen?” Whether you’re unsure or confident, here’s some good news: the answers to our prayers are seen in the faithfulness of God. His answers may surprise us, challenge us, or even baffle us. But as we learn to trust His answers, we begin to rest in His faithfulness. Do I hear an “Amen?” May we keep that hope in the heart and experience great joy in the soul.

^“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”1 Corinthians 1:20 NIV