When Prayer Was Sweet
by Oliver Carlos
What’s your material possession that you’re so happy with because it has served you for the longest time? Mine was my Suzuki Super Carry minivan which has been my buddy thru thick and thin for 13 long years. In the late 1990s, I loved telling the story of how I was able to acquire my precious “Goldie.”
In 1997, I started praying for a larger and younger car. My Minica was still in good condition but I felt that my needs have outgrown Minnie. I was then transporting lots of people and cargo, and my little blue car had been too small for these trips. I had a larger problem though. I don’t have money.
My wife and I had a break-even budget at that time. We were a newlywed couple, with no savings, and we weren’t earning big-time in our jobs. I cannot sell my 25-year old Minica at a high price to raise some seed money for the next car. I felt I had a legit need, but I don’t see any solution within the horizon.
It was August of that year when I saw a cute and shiny little red van with a “For Sale” sign at the parking lot of Christian School International (CSI). I approached it, circled it several times, and wrote down the contact number. I knew at first sight that this was the perfect vehicle for me. I loved its size, it’s good enough to fit the basketball team I’m coaching, and the various bulky cargo I usually transport every week. It’s also air-conditioned, my Minica wasn’t.
When I called the owner, he said he’s selling the 5-year old Suzuki van for P120,000. That price was way too high for me. I couldn’t afford it. My monthly salary then was just around P6,000 and it’s barely enough for our food and bills.
I was so sad after our conversation. I just realized that fact that I cannot buy my dream van. It dawned on me how poor I was. But my heart was steadfast. I had a great faith in God and I knew that he would give his children what they needed. So I decided to pray for that Suzuki van. I cut out a picture of the van from a magazine and posted it on the wall of my office, beside my desk. I prayed for it every moment I see the picture. I read a lot of Bible verses, took them down on my notebook, and claimed them in prayer.
After 6 months of cooking the van in prayer, I called the owner again. I inquired if the van was still available. I was surprised at his response. He said, “Walang bumibili sa kanya. Magkano ba gusto mo? Sabihin mo at ibibigay ko na sa iyo.” (Nobody’s buying it. How much do you want it for? Name your price, I’ll give it to you). To cut the long story short, I got the Suzuki van at a price that I can afford, it’s a price that is so way below the original asking price of the owner.
This is a story of God’s goodness to me. It’s a testimony that he hears and answers my prayers. I kept on telling this story to everyone who would ride in my van. It’s the staple conversation for first-time passengers. I wanted them to know that my van was a product of God’s grace. I wanted them to know that God is good. I wanted them to also try praying to God and experience his goodness and power.
King David had a similar experience to share in Psalm 45 (NLT). He had a big and legit need, he prayed hard and patiently, and God answered him. He was so glad, he wrote a song about his experience and shared it in their temple worship. Here are verses 1,3 and 17:
“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry…Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord…Since I am poor and needy,…You are my helper and my savior.”
In the years that went by after I acquired my van, I still encountered humongous prayer needs. Each time I’m in such a hole, I would always remember the time when I prayed so hard for the impossible to be possible. Recalling the story of how I got my Suzuki van would always point me to God’s amazing grace and character.
