I asked prayer concerning our donkey, Easter, who has what appears to be a degenerative hip condition. She hasn't been able to get to her feet all day yesterday and I was preparing for the worst this morning when I asked our E. O. Outreach Bible study to pray. Well what a surprise! I found Easter up on all fours and eager to get out of her pen and into the paddock to eat grass. She still favors one back leg but she's moving better than I've seen in weeks.
I believe the most amazing thing is that we think this is an amazing thing. God delights to answer our prayers and intervene on behalf of His children. Prayer is powerful, effective, and should be our immediate "go to" when we have a need. Prayer doesn't always go the way we intend but it always draws us closer to God's perfect will.
Humbled and ashamed that I don't pray more often..... BP Devo.
UPDATE: Easter was greatly improved and had far less pain in response to lots of prayer but a few weeks later I found her dead in her stall. She appeared to have died peacefully in her sleep. Her troubles had to be more than the symptoms in her leg and even in this, God is faithful and relieved her of the struggles of life.
According to Romans 8:19-21
"For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.