Reader 1, Koos: “In 2003, I worked for a company in Douglas. As part of my responsibility, I had to open the store room each morning to let the employees in. I had a routine of first parking my car in front of the store room and only later moving it to my regular parking spot.
One morning, my employer asked me to accompany him to clients. My car was still parked in front of the store room. When we returned, I wanted to move my car, but suddenly discovered that my keys were gone!
We started looking for the keys everywhere, without success. To make matters worse, my spare keys were at home and my home keys were locked in my car. I prayed desperately to God to show me where my keys were.
When I went to bed that night (after I sneaked into my home through a small hole), I had a dream. In the dream the day’s events played out before me. I saw myself driving to work, unlocking the store room and getting into my employer’s car. When we drove off, I suddenly saw my keys falling from my pocket, landing behind the driver’s seat underneath the mat.
Early the next morning, I met my employer with a broad smile. When I told him about my dream, he initially laughed. However, I opened his vehicle, moved the seat forward and removed the mat. Suddenly, we both gasped for air when we saw the keys – just as I saw it in my dream! I thanked God and now I realize that I just have to ask, and believe, and He will provide!”

Reader 2, Frans: “In December 1992 my five young boys and I were fishing with my family on the beach. Even though my brother-in-law and the other men caught lots of elves, I caught nothing that day. It was horrible to see my boys excited around the other men while I didn’t have anything to show.

I stood on a rock some distance away and prayed to God to send me a fish I could catch. I left at the end of that day without catching anything.
The next morning at 04:00, my brother-in-law woke me and asked if I wanted to go fishing. My immediate answer was ‘no’, but a voice reminded me that I asked for fish the previous day. I woke two of my boys and we went along to fish.
My rod was out of the vehicle first. I put bait on and cast the line some 40 meters into the sea. After 2 minutes, I felt a strong tug on my line. My brother-in-law approached me, and said it was for sure a shark and I had to cut the line. I decided however to hold on. The end of the story? After about an hour’s struggle, I caught a massive Kingfish (28,5 kg) – and this time my kids were excited and proud to stand around me! I believe the Lord is always with us. If you ask Him something, He usually gives plenty!”

Koos and Frans are right. God hears our prayers. In Matthew 7:7-11 we read: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. . .Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

No request to God is ever too big, or too small for Him to pay attention to it. Therefore, go to Him and speak to Him about your challenge. He is interested – even if you only ask for keys or a fish. God bless!

Father God, thank you for the privilege I have to speak to You about everything in my life. Please make me aware of Your presence in my life, daily. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

·         See pictures of Koos and Frans on the STORIES VAN HOOP page on the social network, Fbook.