Answered Prayer

Isn’t it amazing how God answers prayer? But sometimes the answer isn’t what was wanted or expected.

This summer I was lucky enough to have a holiday in Austria. Over the last 20 years, I have been to the Kitzbuhel Alps many times and walked up most of the mountains in this area. The highest mountain is the Groser Rettenstein and over the years, I have summitted this mountain several times.

As I have ‘advanced in years’, I have realised that climbing mountains isn’t as easy as it used to be! Even so, as soon as I saw the Groser Rettenstein, I was desperate to climb it one last time. I studied the maps and the bus timetables to work out the easiest way to achieve this, and prayed. ‘Just once more, Lord, please’.

As the week went on, I realised that the gentler walks were becoming more satisfying. I wasn’t desperately focusing on that mountain. By the middle of the week, I knew God was answering my prayer. Whenever I looked at the mountain, I felt a beautiful peace and a knowledge that God was telling me that I didn’t have to climb the mountain: I’d done it and didn’t need to prove anything. I was able to look at the mountain and praise God for the beauty of his creation and accept that I am no longer able to do the things I used to. I can now look up at the majestic mountains and thank God for the many wonderful memories I have of conquering those summits.

Thank you, Lord, for answered prayer.