You Have Not Because You Ask Not

Let me tell you a wonderful story regarding the answer to prayer. Stay with me, it will take a bit of time to share a related story.

Today I was looking through some things in a drawer and found a little booklet given to me by Bruce Bickel and signed, “I am glad we were called to serve Him together.” Bruce played quarterback at Navy following Roger Stauback and broke some of Roger’s records. Bruce and I met when he was on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) staff in Chicago and I on the FCA National Board.

One night he was out for a walk with his Doberman on an isolated street when he saw four thugs closing in on him. He prayed for help. As Bruce tells it, the dog was a big sissy, overly friendly. Nevertheless Bruce reached down, caught the dog by the collar, and stood him up on his back legs resulting in the dog panting for air. To the thugs it looked like the dog was panting trying to break free to attack them. They fled. Prayer answered.

Bruce was on a rather small FCA staff salary and Roger was getting very wealthy playing quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.

Bruce needed a car and was telling no one while praying for a miracle. Bruce and Roger talked frequently as Bruce taught Roger the Bible. Bruce never hinted at his need for a new car.

One night Roger called and told Bruce he had been given a new car as the NFL Player of the Year, and had just been given another as being named the Player of the Game in the Super Bowl. He asked Bruce if he could use a car. Prayer answered. 

That is a wonderful way to pray at times. You don’t need to advertise for an item when you can go directly to the Giver of every good and perfect gift. I have done so many times when God said no to my petition. I accepted the facts knowing God knew better than I. There have been numerous times when God said yes.

All prayer doesn’t need to be secret, but some should be.

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6)

Like Bruce, I have done it many times and seen its effect. As a satisfied customer I recommend it. There are occasions when “You have not because you ask not.” (James 4:2)