Keys to the Kingdom by Carolyn Tucker
My family loves to tell a good story which usually erupts in rip-roaring laughter, rufous faces, and tears. I recall a humorous incident my brother Randy told on his mother-in-law (whom he loved dearly). When Randy and Corda were first married, they would come back home on weekends and alternate staying with their parents. On this particular visit, they were at the Rosenbaum farm. Preparing to eat breakfast, my brother was sitting at the kitchen table as his mother-in-law began to pour him a glass of milk. She couldn’t actually see the pour spout as the milk came tumbling out in chunks. As she continued to pour, she sweetly asked, “Is this milk OK?“ I believe his answer was in the negative.
Has it ever occurred to you that there’s no expiration date on your prayers? The other night I was asleep when I distinctly heard, “Mommy!“ I awoke abruptly with a pounding heart as I listened and thought about what had just happened. I was prompted to pray for the protection of my two children, and then I drifted back to sleep. “I have courage in God’s presence, because I am sure that He hears me if I ask Him for anything that is according to His will” (1 John 5:14 GNT). In the morning, I sent both of them brief texts about what I’d experienced and both confirmed that they were just fine.
Exactly two weeks later while my son was driving to work in the early morning, a deer ran out in front of him which caused serious damage to the vehicle, but no harm to Aaron. I believe God prevented him from choosing to ride his motorcycle that day, as the outcome would have been quite different. Exactly six weeks following my prayer, my daughter Mariam and two of her girls were innocently involved in a three-vehicle accident (all were totaled), but no one was injured. No, not one!
“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7 NKJV). Fear of the Lord is simply a proper awe of His greatness and holiness. Believers can trust and depend on God’s faithfulness. I’m thankful my prayer for protection had not expired but was still in effect.
When my kids were little, I taught them a song entitled, “I Thank My God I’m in His Care.“ The lyrics, written by Ry Cooder, depict a simple faith in a loving heavenly Father: “Oh Daniel he was a good man; he prayed night and day. The angels opened up the windows just to hear what Daniel had to say. He prayed, ‘I thank my God I’m in His care.’ I am in His care, in my Savior’s care. I am in His care, in my Savior’s care. King Jesus got His arms wrapped all around me; no evil thought can ever harm me ‘cause I thank my God I’m in His care.“ The scriptural truth of this song still remains in my children’s hearts today.
A song is more than just a happy tune when it’s backed by God’s Word: “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully” (1 Peter 5:7 AMP). If you can truly cast all your care in prayer, you can experience resting in God. I’m glad I heard God’s voice, thankful I prayed, and so grateful my prayer was answered.
The Key: I thank my God there’s no expiration date on my prayers.