Receiving An Answered Prayer Require Action?

Judges 13:8-11   "Then Manoah prayed, “O Lord, please let the man from God come back to us again and give us more instructions about the child you are going to give us.”  The Lord answered his prayer, and the Angel of God appeared once again to his wife as she was sitting in the field. But again she was alone—Manoah was not with her—  so she quickly ran and found her husband and told him, “The same man is here again!” Manoah ran back with his wife and asked, “Are you the man who talked to my wife the other day?”

“Yes,” he replied, “I am.”  

When reading this scripture I found it interesting that an angel came all the way from heaven, yet didn't travel a little further to Manoah who prayed the prayer to see him in the first place, the angel went to his wife instead.  Then he "ran" to see the angel himself.  He prayed a prayer, then he moved himself to see the angel.  He moved himself to receive an answered prayer.  

I wonder how many answers to prayers we would have if we asked the question, "Lord, what action do I need to take, what is my part to play in receiving the answer?".  How many prayers of mine have gone unanswered?  Even today?  I'm by no means saying this is a magical solution to every unanswered prayer.  Some prayers will still be answered with a resounding no, because God's timing is perfect.

Can you think of a time when you prayed a prayer that required you to take action to receive the answer?  What was that experience like for you?  

For example, prayers for financial peace?  "Lord Jesus, protect my finances, increase our portion, favor!"  That prayer, for me, required action on my part.  Following a budget, saving, living debt free, considering every purchase. "Be faithful in little, you will be faithful in much." Luke 16:10  That was what the Lord spoke to me then and speaks to me now for so many prayers I make.  

I don't think the action will always be a HUGE gesture, but it may have HUGE results.  It may be something small.  Like being at the right place at the right time because you listened to God's voice. Maybe it's talking to the right person.  

I remember in bible college I needed a place to stay for the summer so I could keep my job.  I had NO options that I felt were within my reach.  I prayed and asked God for help.  His answer was to ask a classmate to live with her family.  I hardly knew Angela, actually, I didn't care for her very much at the time.  Our friend groups were completely different.  So, with much discomfort and nerves, I asked her.  How awkward!  Asking someone I hardly knew to live with them!  That memory is so fresh to this day.  Well, don't you know it, a few days later she came back to me and said yes!  YES!  Craziness!  My prayer required action, a very uncomfortable action, but God knew the outcome.  And you know what?  She is one of my dearest and closest friends to this day.  Her family had a major impact on my life and I consider them my own family.  I would've missed out on so much if I hadn't took action. 

What prayer requires action in your life today?  Don't delay, you never know what's coming around the bend.

CH