My Fastest Answer to Prayer

Genesis 24:15

And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.

That verse always amazes me. Abraham’s servant is in search of a wife for Isaac. He prays, asking God for a sign, to indicate which woman is the right one for Isaac. And the bible says, “Before he had done speaking,” God answers his prayer.

I have somewhat of a similar story.

This was back during my Chick-fil-A days. I had a coworker - I can’t remember her name exactly; it was several years ago - and this coworker worked in the back of the restaurant in the kitchen with me.

Proverbs 7:11

(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

Now this coworker of mine was extremely miserable to work with. She was very loud, and it seemed like every word that proceeded out of her mouth was crude and obnoxious. Absolute filthy conversation. Very hard to listen to. Like nails on a chalkboard. And because we were both working in the same tiny kitchen, I heard every word she uttered.

After working together for several months, I eventually grew quite weary of her presence. As I was working side-by-side her, I prayed inside my head, “Lord, please get this woman out of my presence. Please remove her from this kitchen.”

Just as a I finished that prayer, the coworker turned around with a started expression on her face. She looked down at her right arm, which was hanging down by her side.

“I can’t move my arm,” she said, eyes wide. She started to panic.

Other workers soon became aware of the situation. She was ushered to the boss. Soon she was on her way to the ER.

A few days later I heard through the grapevine that it was an issue with her shoulder. She wouldn’t be able to return to work for several weeks.

Well, several weeks passed, but I never did see that coworker again. I don’t know why she never returned to work. But I know I’ll never forget that day. I’ll never forget her expression when she turned around.

Sometimes, when we pray, we have to wait a good while before God answers our prayers. But other times God answers our prayers much faster than we ever anticipated. You just never know which scenario it’s going to be, until you pray.

Matthew 7:7

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: