The Home Run That Wasn’t

Bible Reading: Romans 8:26-28, 31

Miguel sat on the bench and waited for his turn at bat. His team was losing by just one run, and it was the last inning. If I get up to bat, God can help me get a hit, he thought, so he silently prayed, asking God to let him hit a home run.

There was a runner on third base, but there were already two out when it was Miguel’s turn to bat. Confidently, he walked to home plate. The pitcher threw the ball, and Miguel took a swing at it—but he missed. The pitcher threw the ball again, and this time Miguel hit it. To his dismay, the ball popped up, right to the third baseman, who caught it for an easy out to end the game. Miguel threw the bat toward the dugout in disgust.

“I don’t understand,” said Miguel on the drive home. “I prayed that God would give me a home run, but I didn’t even get a hit!”

“You know, Miguel,” Dad said, “our prayers can sometimes be selfish. We want what we want, and we want it now. That’s not the purpose of prayer.”

“Then is a ball game too small a thing to pray about?” Miguel asked.

“Nothing is too small to pray about,” said Dad. “Jesus cares about you and wants you to talk to Him about everything, including games you hope to win and the disappointment you feel when you don’t. But that doesn’t mean He’ll always answer your prayers the way you want Him to. Sometimes when we pray, we put the focus on ourselves and what we want instead of God’s plan to do what’s best and help more people come to Jesus.”

“So does that mean I shouldn’t ask Him to help me get a hit?” asked Miguel.

“Of course you can,” said Dad. “But as you pray, submit to His will, and trust Him to help you do whatever He wants you to. Like be a good sport, for instance.”

Miguel grimaced. “I guess I should have prayed for that when I struck out.”

“Well, now you can at your next game,” said Dad. “Pray for God’s will to be done and that you’ll remember to show the other team His kindness and love, no matter how the game turns out.” -Linda M. Weddle

How About You?

When you pray, do you remember to ask for God’s will to be done? Or do you just ask for things to go your way? Jesus wants you to share your hopes and feelings with Him and pray about things that are important to you, but He also wants you to remember He knows what’s best and to trust Him no matter what. Accept His answers, knowing He’ll be with you as He puts His perfect plan into action.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 John 5:14 If we ask anything according to [God’s] will, He hears us. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Pray for God’s will in your life