The Power of Prayer

Macas was our first destination point in Ecuador. We stayed there for approximately 2 weeks, with a pastor and his wife, Roberto and Dorothy. Both of these people were quite a blessing to us, and we have come to know them as dear brothers and sisters in Christ. They walked us around Macas the first couple of days, and one of our very first stops was in one of the many market squares. Here we met a young man, Jose.
Jose was 21 and had come to Macas from a village farther away to start his own business. He ran a small storefront restaurant, one of many you can find walking around Ecuador. And when I say tiny, I mean tiny- there was hardly room to fit one plastic table with 3 chairs around it, and even then, it was quite a squeeze. When Roberto came walking up with us, this tall lanky Ecuadorian came loping up to us with the biggest grin you have ever seen. I have never seen someone smile so much as him. He welcomed us in and cooked us up some empanadas.

While Jose whipped these up, Pastor Roberto told us a little bit about Jose. Back in his home village, Jose had professed to be a christian. However, he walked away from the faith when he came to Macas, and brought alone his also backslidden girlfriend, Rosa (whom they affectionately referred to as Rosita). We met her later on that day- a young girl not more than 15, who was 5 months pregnant. After they had met Roberto and Dorothy, they recommitted their lives to Christ and were beginning to act in their own small steps of faith. In fact, they were returning to their village later that week to get married and make their relationship right.
That first day, Jose pulled out an old beaten up and dreadfully out of tune guitar and began to play it for us. He was actually quite good once you imagined the sound should he tune it, and he could sing fairly well too. But the best part about it was his true love of singing praises to Jesus. It was encouraging to see the potential in this young man, especially since the small church in Macas didn't have any musicians... all the worship was led a capella.

Jose came over later after church and we were able to show him how to tune a guitar- he had never attempted to do so before. While teaching him, I noticed what poor shape his guitar truly was in. On top of this, he used cheap plastic strings, so while the first chord he played after tuning sounded great, they strings just slipped back out of tune after that. However, Jose just kept playing away with a great big smile on his face.

One day, Jose's faithful old guitar finally died, and the neck broke off of the body. Jose was so disappointed, but he only told Roberto. Despairing, he didn't know what to do- with their meager income and a new baby coming along, there was no way he could afford a new one. Roberto told him to rely on God and pray this situation. So Jose took his baby step of faith and brought his problem to God.

Unbeknownst to Roberto or Jose, a sister during this time began feeling a pull on her heart to bless Jose with a new guitar. She struggled with it for a while, and prayed about it, but God kept showing her that this was what he wanted her to do. She had no clue about Jose's old guitar.

Finally she gave in to the direction God was leading her in. She bought a new guitar for him along with some other supplies for it. She gave it to Roberto to bless Jose with after church that evening.

Roberto gave it to Jose, and Jose couldn't believe his eyes. God had answered his prayer of faith, and was faithful to give him the desires of his heart.



Jose didn't waste any time, and began tuning and playing the guitar all night. He couldn't stop smiling, and only stopped playing when Roberto told him it was time to leave. Every time I saw him after that until I left Macas, he always was carrying that new guitar, and offered to play it anywhere he had an opportunity.





 This story showed me several things. First was how prayer really does work. So many times it seems like praying is just spewing out words that hit the ceiling and fall back around you, even if we don't always want to admit that to other people.But when you see that little mustard seed of faith and prayers being answered, it reminds you that prayer is actually effective. God, the Creator of all of the universe cares to listen to your prayers, hears your heart's desires, and responds. To us.
Secondly, it showed me that God can use anybody. The sister that blessed Jose with the guitar wasn't anybody special. She didn't even know there was a need. But if you're listening to God, and willing to be used by Him, He will. God is looking for willing vessels. And that should be our hearts cry. "Hear I am Lord; use me."

You don't have to be a huge spiritual giant to see God working in your life.
Ask God to open your heart, to feel where He's leading you.
To open your ears, to hear His voice speaking to you.
Open your mouth in prayer.

He is faithful.

    Jose and Rosita the day before their wedding

For verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Matthew 17:20
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16b
Delight yourself also in the Lord; and he shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21
Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah 6:8b
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4