A man is standing on top of the roof of his house during a flood praying to God to help him. A man in a tiny boat pulls up to the man and says, "Come on in, I will save you". The man yells back, "No thank you, I am waiting for God to help me." The man in the boat leaves. The water gets a little deeper but the man believes in God and is proving his faith.

The man continues to pray and ask God for help. A short while later, a man in a bigger boat comes along and offers the man help. Again, he tells him that he is waiting for God to help him so the boat goes on its way. Again, the water gets deeper and is now over the roof.

A while later a helicopter comes by and offers to take him to safety. He repeats the same message so the helicopter leaves.

A while later, the water overtakes him and he drowns. While in heaven, he walks up to God and says, "God, I believed in you so much. I wanted you to help me, but you did not. Why did you abandon me?"

God looks at the man and says, "I sent you 2 boats and a helicopter, what more could I do?"

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Mr. Smith

Four retired ministers were constantly arguing and usually it was the same three against the same one. They had done this since their days in seminary.

On one particular occasion Mr. Smith was convinced that he was right so he decided to appeal to a higher authority. "Dear God," he prayed, "I know in my heart that I am right. Please give us a sign so that these other three dear colleagues will know that I am right."

It was a glorious clear day, but at his request, a dark ominous cloud rolled across the sky.

"So?" said the rest, "What does that prove?"

The next day they had yet another argument, and again it was the same three against the Rev. John Smith. Again Mr. Smith asked for a sign. Again, it was a bright clear day.

This time a dark cloud rolled ominously across the sky and ZAP!!! a lightening bold streaked down and a tree at the edge of the orchard exploded in flames.

"So?" the rest shrugged in unison, "What does that prove? It's still three to one."

The third day there was another argument and the same division of opinion. Again Mr. Smith asked for a sign, "And please, dear Lord," he prayed, "make it a very specific sign!"

Again, it was a clear day and again a dark and ominous thundercloud appeared. Again there was thunder and lightening. THIS TIME though a heavenly finger pointed at the Rev. Mr. Smith and a booming heavenly voice intoned, John Smith is right!

"So?" shrugged the rest, "that just means it's three to two."

Prayer is NOT getting God on our side in an argument.
Prayer is not an attempt to change God's mind on something.

We must always remember that prayer is NOT just us talking and expecting God to listen; prayer is us keeping quiet so we can hear God speaking. Prayer is trusting that God will change us and strengthen us to be able to receive the answer; if we are patient.