Nkosinathi reflecting on his own experience of answered prayer and how it brought joy and fueled his faith at an influential age.

We recently had a visit from Surprise Sithole, in our local church in CT and we were all remarking on how amazing the response was from the congregation at the end – how many of us came forward to receive prayer. It felt like through Surprise’s simple joy filled preaching and testimonies, the faith and expectation level in the room also rose significantly!
What gives you fuel to keep going?
In the week following this particular Sunday, I also found myself in an interview with a group who are looking at getting someone to help them establish a culture of prayer within their organization – and the question was asked, since my work is to lead an organization called 24-7 Prayer in SA: “Why do you do what you do, what gives you fuel to keep going?” I answered without much hesitation that for me it’s the joy of answered prayer(!) and of course, Jesus!
Psalms 126:1-3 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Won’t you please provide, Lord!
Psalm 126 reminds of a time back in 1999 when I was still a student living in a self-catering university residence. I had run out of funds for the semester and my parents were unable to send me money as they were unemployed at the time. I had been without food for 4 days, and on this particular day, I decided to write God a letter as a form of praying. I wrote: “Lord, this is not a fast, I’m hungry! I need food! Won’t you please provide, Lord!” I didn’t finish writing my letter and I started drifting into sleep due to hunger and I heard a voice calling my name from the street – this was before we all had cell phones. I looked through the window, and there my friend, Thokozani, was standing outside, shouting my name. I went out to open for him, he told me that he wouldn’t be coming in, but was inviting me to come with him right away because he wanted to cook dinner at his place and share it with me! We went out to the nearest supermarket, bought some supplies and off we went to his place and he cooked the most delicious meal I ever had! It might have been a simple pap and stew, but I tell you, to me(!), it was the most delicious!
I can’t describe to you how it felt like for the Lord to answer my prayer in that way on that day, except to say that – My prayer for you is to experience this same joy today.
The joy of answered prayer. Amen
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