There was once a man who was forced to dig a well because the one that he was using had gone dry. The land was parched. It hadn't rained for months and the water table was down, so he had no idea where to start digging or how deep he would have to go. He prayed about it. He had a strong feeling that he should be digging behind his barn, but his common sense told him to get some extra insurance. So he hired an pricey geologist who ran extensive tests on his property. One day, the geologist returned with an answer.
"Dig over there," the geologist said, pointing to a stand of birch trees in the corner of the field. "According to my tests, there is where you will find water."
The man's neighbor also needed to dig a well. He too prayed about it and got an equally strong feeling that he should start digging in a dusty gully, next to the first man's property line. Without hesitation, the second man started digging at the spot.
The first man hired some workers. They dug all day long and the hole got deeper and deeper. Still there was no water, only dust.
The day after the second man began digging, he struck a large spring and barely got out of the hole before it filled up with fresh water and overflowed the sides. When the first man saw this, he was amazed. All he had to show for his sweat and money was a dry hole.
"How did you do that?" the first man asked his neighbor. "I've been digging for days, but all I have to show for it is dust."
"I prayed," the second man said simply.
"So did I," said the first man, "but I wanted to make sure. So I hired a geologist to find the best place to dig. All my money is spent and I still have no water."
"When I prayed," he neighbor said. "I immediately I had a very strong feeling to dig here. So I did."
"Well, you sure hit a gusher."
The second man rubbed his chin and watched the water bubbling out of the hole. "I sure did, praise God. But there is much more here than I can use. Why don't you lay a little pipe over to your house from my well. That way, we can both share in God's bounty."
The first man was amazed. "Do you mean that? Do you mean that I don't have to dig another well?"
"Nope."
"I don't know how to thank you," the first man said, flowing over with gratitude.
"Don't thank me," his neighbor replied. "Thank God for the water. And you can also thank Him that I trusted His answer enough to take the first step, otherwise we'd both be out of luck."
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
(Mark 11:24 NIV)
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Copyright 2001 by Ed Price