I have learned the power of prayer and believing during my time in the ministry, and on various occasions seen the impact that they can have. One such occasion involved an event at my job.
After serving as a career officer in my country’s defense force for a number of years and reaching a senior level in the organization, I was approaching the age of retirement at that rank. I was looking forward to starting a new career as a civilian in the maritime sector, but I would have really liked to continue in the career that I had so much enjoyed over the years. My continuing, however, could occur only if I was elevated in rank; but this was not possible since there were no vacant positions in the organizational structure.
Although I had the desire to continue in my career, I could only see this occurring if a position became vacant at a higher level within the organization. This certainly was not my desire since the people occupying those positions were not yet at the point of their retirement and were not interested in leaving the organization. I had no intention of continuing at someone’s expense. In fact, I had a very close relationship with the people who occupied those positions, so this was certainly out of the question.
After some consideration, my wife and I decided to take believing action by daily going to God in prayer and asking that He make a way for me to continue. Within weeks of our taking this action, I was called to the office of the head of the defense force and informed of a decision that our government had made to establish a new aviation organization for the defense force. This organization would have the same status as the other three organizations that comprised the defense force at that time. I was also informed that even though I had no aviation experience, I had been chosen to plan, develop, establish, and head this new organization because of other skills that were identified as essential to the success of this project. Furthermore, being selected for this position meant that I would be promoted to a higher rank, giving me the opportunity to continue in my career.
I was surprised by this development. God answered my prayer in a way that I never even envisioned. When I could not see a way, God made a way. Today the organization is well established and is the preferred choice of many who wish to serve our country. God answers prayer in ways that we often cannot begin to contemplate when we go to Him with believing.