“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17

Results of Prayer

We sometimes get frustrated when our prayers don’t see immediate results. I think of the severe drought we faced here in Cape Town in the summer months of 2019 (December, 2018; January-March, 2019). We were running out of water. In fact there was concern that Cape Town would be the first large city in the world to go completely dry. The dams/reservoirs that hold the water for the city were getting lower and lower. They looked like beds of sand.

We were on strict water rationing. There was a time limit on our showers. We could only flush our toilets when absolutely necessary—we saved shower water for that. Clothes were worn over and over before washing them. No lawns or gardens could be watered. No cars could be washed. If we managed to save some rain water, then we could give our dry plants a little drink. If households went over a certain amount of water usage, they were fined.

It was a dire situation! We got a little rain, so thankfully we never went completely dry—but everything in life changed from the water shortage. I don’t think we’ll ever forget that summer! We are all still very, very careful with our water usage. Many, many prayer meetings were held. I think many who don’t even believe in God were calling out to Him for relief.

Fast forward to this past winter (June-September). We had rain, rain, rain! We got tired of it, but we realize what a blessing it is…and an answer to prayer, even if it didn’t come as quickly as we had hoped in the summer of the drought. ALL the dams are full—the largest one, Theewaterskloof Dam, is full and overflowing for the first time in a decade. The photos of all the full dams are beautiful! It is truly an answer to all those prayers that were lifted up! I’m attaching a before and after photo of the big dam. The difference could not be more striking.


Quite a few months ago I asked two friends to pray with me for a situation. We’ve prayed diligently, but didn’t see any answers. Then recently something changed. Almost daily there are changes—answers to those prayers. It’s like a door was unlocked and the answered prayers are now rushing through!

From day one of Floyd becoming ill I have prayed many prayers—but one prayer I have prayed daily. “Lord, may all of Your plans and purposes for this season be fulfilled.” I confess that I don’t fully understand this season, but I know the character of God and I know He is always at work to accomplish things that are on His heart.

When Floyd first got sick, the doctors said he might survive a few weeks, then a few months, then a year, then 18 months. Now they have no idea. They can’t figure it out. The staff at the hospital love him and make him comfortable, but no one has a prognosis for the future. God may heal him, or He may take him home to heaven. But the one thing I keep praying is that every plan and purpose on the heart of God for this season will be fulfilled!

Lord, even though it is sometimes hard to pray this prayer, we ask that all Your plans and purposes for us would be fulfilled, no matter what must happen. Amen.