Have you heard the story about the church and the bar?

It goes like this. The construction of a new building began on the lot across from a church.

The church wasn’t happy about this and tried to block its opening with petitions and prayer.

The week before it was to open, lightning stuck the bar, burning it to the ground.

The bar’s owner sued the church, claiming the church was responsible because they had prayed for the bar to never open.

The church was adamant in their denial of responsibility.

As the judge heard both sides he responded, “I don’t know how I’m going to decide. It appears that we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that does not.”

The punch line of this tale carries weight.

It caused me to review my prayer list and ask myself, “Would I be surprised if these requests were answered? Do I have the faith to believe that God can move in these situations? Do I believe in the power of prayer?”

Not only do I believe that God has the answer to my problems, I trust that in His timing, He will provide for each one.

I’ve written 1 John 5:14-15 across my prayer list, “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.”

Oh, and between us, I don’t pray for anything to be destroyed, but for life, health and hearts to be filled with love for God.

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.