2021 Daily Devotion - Day 350

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Dr. Billy Graham was doing a crusade at Shea Stadium in New York. The airplanes from La Guardia Airport flew over the stadium; dozens by the hour. On the opening night of counselors training, Graham was talking from the podium as the engines roared overhead. He paused, glanced up and quietly said, "We’ll have to do something about this noise. This just won’t do. He bowed his head and said a simple prayer to the effect, "Lord, we ask You to shift the wind and send these planes in another direction. Thank you. Amen."

The counselors were pretty shocked at such a prayer and didn’t really know what to expect. But God did it. He answered their prayers in a wondrous way! The morning newspaper reported the winds had changed during the night, and the airplanes over Shea Stadium had to be routed another way. For several days thereafter, thousands of people came to Christ under Graham’s anointed preaching. At the end of the crusade, the winds reverted to their normal flow, and the airplanes returned to their normal flight patterns.

Dr. Graham knew He could go to God in this way for many reasons. He knew God loved him and he could take absolutely anything to Him at any time. He also knew God wants to reach all people with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and be saved from sin and death. He knew the Lord would share his concern about how the noise might prevent someone from hearing the Gospel and coming to faith in Jesus. In other words, Dr. Graham knew the heart of God. And so can we as we study his Word and look to Jesus. When we know the heart of God, we know He cares about us and we can step out boldly in prayer.

I John 5:14-15
And this is the boldness we have in 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 obtained the requests made of him.

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, it is so wonderful to know we can always come to You; even with the most basic requests and needs. Many think You are too busy or unapproachable. However, You love to hear from Your sons and daughters in prayer. Give us the courage and strength to come to You with the needs of our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church

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