There are times that my children want me to buy them certain toys or games. Have you ever wanted your parents to buy you a special toy? Sometimes, even though I wanted my child to have that toy, we didn't have enough money at that moment to purchase it.

I told my children that they should pray about it and ask the Lord to provide it for them. I knew this would be a good chance for them to learn how to pray faith-filled prayers and a great opportunity for them to see how good and generous God is. Here are two stories that will inspire you to seek the Lord when your parents can't afford to purchase everything your heart desires.

Before, I tell you my story, let me remind you that it's important that you have a sincere and obedient heart toward God when you ask Him for things. Just like your parents, God does want to bless His children; but just like your parents, God is not interested in satisfying the desires of a whiney, spoiled, selfish child. He's listening for your childlike faith and thankfulness. Here are our stories:

Meghan And Annie's Story
Years ago, my daughters Meghan and Annie each wanted an American Girl doll. At the time, we couldn't afford to buy them these dolls, but we knew God had the ability to provide them with one. I knew my girls had been living obedient lives to their parents and had good hearts towards the Lord, so I prayed with them about this.

We went to the Lord and we thanked Him for being a good God who gives good gifts. We asked the Lord for the American Girl dolls they wanted. We thanked the Lord by faith that He heard our prayer and since we knew He heard us, we knew we had the American Girl dolls we requested. I told my girls that from that point on, whenever they thought of the American Girl dolls they should just thank God for their dolls and in His timing, they would have them. I also challenged my girls to give something that was valuable to them as a seed sown into someone else's life.

Well, can you guess what happened? In a few months, out of the blue, God opened up an opportunity for me so that I received several hundred dollars and it was just enough to purchase the two dolls, their accessories and the shipping! My girls saw first hand that their Heavenly Father is a good Father and He gives good gifts to those who ask.

Luke's Story
A few years ago, one of our sons, Luke, wanted a Game Boy. We asked the Lord for the Game Boy he wanted. We thanked the Lord by faith that He had heard our prayer and since we knew He heard us, we knew we had the Game Boy we requested. I reminded my son that from that point on, whenever he thought about the Game Boy he should just thank God for the game. I also challenged my son to sow a seed into others' lives. Do you want to know what happened?

First, my son had been saving up "Bible Bucks" from church. This is "money" kids earn in Children's Church when they bring their Bibles to church, when they know their memory verses, etc. One day at church they received an offering for needy people and my son gave all of his Bible Bucks in that offering. Did he get the Game Boy right after giving away all his Bible Bucks? Nope! My son began to grow impatient as several months passed and no Game Boy. We just encouraged him to continue to thank God if he really believed that God had heard his original prayer, and that God was working on it.

A few more months passed and no Game Boy! This was a real test of being thankful and patient! He continued to thank the Lord for his Game Boy even when he was feeling impatient! After about nine months had passed, guess what happened? One of the guest speakers we had at our church, who didn't know our son, felt "impressed by God" to give our son $100 dollars!

This person didn't know what our son had prayed about! When Luke saw the $100 dollar bill, his face lit up! That week Luke took that one hundred dollars God gave him and bought the Game Boy! God knows how to answer the prayers of kids! He is a good Father!

Things To Notice About Answered Prayer
I hope you notice a few things from these stories. First, do you see the importance of having the right heart and attitude before God? Do you see the need to ask and have a thankful heart—even when you grow impatient? Do you see the importance of looking for ways to be a blessing and give to others when you are expecting God to bless you? Do you see the need to be patient? Can you see that every situation is unique and God knows just how to answer your request?

Source: Getting A Grip On The Basics For Kids
by Beth Jones
Excerpt permission granted by Valley Press Publishers