21 Days of Prayer ChallengeSample

Day 18: How do I Pray for Provision?

From Pastor Roger Theimer

It was a Sunday afternoon, and my roommate and I were hungry. More like starving. We worked a summer job during our college years, far from home and living on meager means. We had just returned from driving to another town to purchase a new car the night before. Actually, it was an old van. At any rate, we spent all our cash. We weren't worried. We had grocery money in the sock drawer and food in the fridge. But when we returned, we discovered someone had broken into our tiny apartment. The cash was gone from the sock drawer, and even the food was taken from the fridge. After church, we came home and sat down at the empty table. No food. No money. What were we to do?

When you don't know what to do, the best thing to do is pray. So we prayed, "Thank you, Lord, for providing for us, for the food we will receive, even if we don't know where it will come from. But please, Lord. Provide."

An hour later, the prayer was answered in a way we never would have guessed. Another college friend and his family passed through this Wyoming town on a cross-country trip and stopped for a surprise visit. It was only one block out of their way. After our joyous greetings, we heard, "Hungry? Buffet at the truck stop sound good? It's all you can eat!" One of the best meals ever! After a two-hour lunch, we parted ways again. Back at the apartment, we found a $20 bill left on the kitchen table.

"Give us this day our daily bread," Jesus taught us to pray. Our physical needs are essential, and we should pray for them. But what else are we doing when we pray? We are trusting. We are learning that our provision is not something that just comes from our own effort. Food doesn't just come from the grocery store. Money is not just from our earnings. Health is not only in the hands of our medical professionals. God provides.

Jesus teaches us to daily Pray for Provision.

Make a list of physical needs and practice trusting God. Pray for:

• Your needs and others in need
• Items easily taken for granted
• Larger financial goals
• Medical or physical needs
• Daily dependence. "Give us today our daily bread."
• Tithe and offerings as an expression of trust

Ask boldly and with a thankful heart!

Day 18 Challenge: Before moving to prayer, look back at the last year of your life and thank God for three ways He has provided for you. Now, think of the three ways in which you would ask God to provide for your next year.

Prayer Prompt: Pray for your provision this year (financial, medical, physical, etc.). Pray and intercede over family, friends, and acquaintances who are facing illness and physical challenges.