Rescued without Asking

This year's MOT, though successfully passed, noted my car’s rear tyres for being rather badly worn and advised changing them. A month later, I got around to it, arriving at my usual tyre establishment. Upon showing the proprietor the tyres, we noticed a small gash in the side of one. Although it hadn’t burst the inner tube, it was visible from without.

The man pulled a face and shook his head: “It might last a month, or it might blow within hours”. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to replace it for another five days. I duly booked myself in and prayed to God each time I drove that the tyre wouldn’t burst ahead of him changing it. Thankfully, my prayers were answered, and two new tyres with ample tread were successfully fitted.

Returning from the tyre garage, a van came within 2 feet of crashing into me, its driver having gone through a red light at the crossroads. Both our brakes, thankfully, were working well. I hadn’t prayed before that short journey; the wounded tyre, after all, had been successfully changed. Yet God delivered me anyway. Prayer is not some superstitious ritual, whereby one who fails to recite some muttered mantra is inevitably due some accident. Each day, we dance with danger; the tyres might burst, the brakes might fail, the traffic lights might go unnoticed. God continues to save and deliver; He saved me from an accident even though I hadn’t requested it.

Let us understand that prayer is not some heavenly insurance policy against earthly disaster. You don’t jot down all the risks of the forthcoming week or month and ‘cover’ each one by raising it with the Lord, because any not mentioned are liable to go wrong. Rather, prayer is communion with God, not a selfish seeking of indemnity. The Lord had already taken care of the potential disaster at the crossroads without my asking. Should we therefore make requests at all? Of course, for He desires this. Just don’t be surprised when He does more than you ask for.

Also when ye pray, use no vain repetitions as the Heathen: for they think to be heard for their much babbling. Be ye not like them therefore: for your Father knoweth whereof ye have need, before ye ask of him.

Matthew 6:7-8, Geneva Bible