Parking Prayer

(That’s parking as an adjective; I’m not talking about pushing prayer to one side and forgetting about it ... far from it!)

I once had a friend who went to a busy town for her shopping.  As she approached the town centre, she would pray that she’d be able to find a parking space.  It worked.  She was always able to park close to the shops, rain or shine.  From time to time an article appears that has been written by a businessman who’s been successful and made his fortune as a result of prayer.  Prayer has certainly worked for such people as this, who have committed their commercial activities to the Lord.

I recall a time when I was getting a bit concerned about my own financial situation.  My thoughts were in this direction when I sat down for my daily prayers, and I mentioned this to the Lord.  Within a day or two the downward trend had reversed.  Prayer worked for me too.  As I gave thanks in later days I found myself asking, ‘Why?’  Why does God answer what some might term ‘selfish’ prayers ... those when we ask for something which is, prima facie, solely for our own well-being?  Can it be some kind of divine magic, a ‘fringe benefit’ of being a believer?  Is it a kind of reward: ‘pray to me and I’ll give you what you want?’  Well, in a way it is.  After all, Jesus did say, ‘Ask and it will be given to you … everyone who asks receives’ (Luke 11:9-10), but I’m sure there’s more to it than that.

Jesus also said, ‘From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded’ (Luke 12:48), implying that there are strings attached, responsibilities which go along with all the gifts and talents which we possess.  So what are the strings attached when we find a parking space, or receive commercial success as a result of prayer?  Let me make one suggestion, and then leave it to your own imagination to carry the thought further.

Remember when Jesus healed the man who had been born blind.  You can look it up afresh at John 9:1-7.  Jesus said that he had been born blind ‘so that the works of God might be displayed in him’ (v.3).  From the furore that was stirred up as a result of his being healed, we can certainly say that his new, seeing life was fruitful in that respect.  So what about us?  If we gain some benefit as a result of our prayers being granted, are we not duty bound to put that benefit to good use?  In the case of my friend, she was able to take less time for her shopping trips, and would be home earlier to prepare something special for her children’s tea.  The successful businessman could donate some of his profits to charities, or might be using them to support his own ministry.

Finally, a health warning: closing one’s eyes for prayer whilst driving around car parks could have other than beneficial effects!