Shepherd - Called to pray: astounding stories of answered prayer

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4:2

Call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.

Psalm 50:15 NASB

Late one evening, I climbed into bed with nothing on my mind except deep and peaceful dreams. My husband was already snoring, and in mere moments, I joined him in slumber. I slept soundly until an unexpected inner voice cheerfully announced, Time to get up!

I smiled, feeling refreshed and glad for the good nights sleep. I swung my feet over the bed and leaned down to pat my dogs curly head. It was then I turned and looked at the clock sitting on my nightstand. To my surprise, the green digital numbers shined 3:00 into the early morning darkness.

Are you kidding me? I asked, wondering what had just happened. I never wake up this early unless I have a flight to catch and set my alarm.

Whats going on, Lord? I prayed. As if in answer to my question, the phone in my office began to shrill through the silence of the house. I jumped out of bed and raced to grab it before the call went to voice mail. My dog followed my flight down the hall as my nightgown flapped around my ankles. I had to get to that phone because I suddenly had the feeling I was awake for a divine purpose.

When I grabbed the phone, the voice of a person for whom Id spent many months earnestly beseeching heaven said, Maybe there is a God.

Stunned, I asked, What do you mean?

My young friend hesitated. I think its interesting that you would pick up the phone just now.

Whats going on? I asked.

Ive been contemplating my life tonight. Ive been wondering if God even exists, and if he does, if he cares about me. I know you never answer the phone this time of night, so I challenged God that if he is really here and if he really loves me, that you would pick up my call. You did .

I gushed, You know whats so funny about that? A voice just told me it was time to get up. I was awake and sitting up in bed when you called. That is the only reason I heard the phone and answered it. I chuckled. And you already know what a miracle that is. See? God is for you.

My friend, who had been unsure if he believed in God, was suddenly awake to the possibility that God is not only real but also loves hima real answer to my prayers. Since that night, Im happy to report that my young friend has come back to faith, and it all started with God prompting me to pray for my friend, then prompting me to wake up at 3:00 a.m. to take his call.

Many of us often are asleep to the idea that God wants to communicate with us personally, and as a result, we sometimes ignore what seem to be stray thoughts or concerns about friends, family, or situations. When worries arise, we often believe they are nothing more than the random musings of our imaginations, never awakening to the possibility that God is actually calling us to pray.