It was a number of years ago that I first heard the following story. This is a story of a man, who was a firm believer in God.
One day it began to rain very heavily. It kept raining and a big flood came. The man climbed up on the roof of his house, and knew that he would be ok. God would protect him.
It kept raining and now the water had reached his waist. A boat came by and a guy in the boat said: “Hey, jump in. We will take you with us”. “No thanks”, said the man. “I’m a firm believer in God. He will rescue me”. He sent the boat away.
It kept on raining and now the water had reached his neck. Another boat came by and a guy in the boat said: “You look like you could need some help. Jump in and we will take you with us”. “No”, said the man. “I’m a firm believer in God. He will rescue me. Don’t worry about me”. The boat sailed away.
It still rained and the water now reached his mouth. A helicopter came by and a guy in the helicopter threw down a rope and said: “Hi there my friend. Climb up. We will rescue you”. “No”, said the man. “I’m a firm believer in God. He will rescue me. I know He will”. The helicopter flew away. It kept on raining, and finally the man drowned.
When the man died, he went to heaven. When entering Heaven, he had an interview with God. After giving a polite greeting and sitting down, the man asked: “Where were You. I waited and waited. I was sure You would rescue me, as I have been a firm believer all my life, and have only done good to others. So where were You when I needed You?”
God scratched His head and answered: “I don’t get it either. I sent you two boats and a helicopter” to help you.
Prayer is often perceived as a mechanism in which God miraculously intervenes in a difficult situation to bring about a certain result. However, in many cases God is looking to co-partner with us in the fulfilment of an answered prayer.
If we do not take action as an expression of our faith, hope and trust, then the prayer remains unanswered, not because God failed to do His part, but because we failed to do our part.