God Provides

Read 1 Kings 17:7-16 - the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath

Juita Kartini lives in Jakarta, Indonesia. When a great drought hit, the water pump in their house broke. Her parents didn't have the money to buy a new one. They prayed constantly for rain, but it didn't rain.

They could not live without water. But thankfully some neighbors who had sophisticated water pumps with sufficient water supply offered to help. They allowed Juita's family to take as much water as they needed. So every day her parents and Juita carried buckets to the neighbors' houses to fetch water until the dry season was over.

This experience was a reminder to Juita that God doesn't always answer prayers the way we want or expect. It didn't rain immediately after they prayed. But God answered their prayers according to their needs by bringing them kindhearted neighbors to provide water for them to use every day.

Prayer: God our provider, help us to trust that you will answer our prayers even if the answer is not what we expect. We give thanks for the help you offer us and pray in Jesus' name. Amen.