Alaska / Prayer Answered?

[Justbecause5]

There is power in prayer (James 5:16)!

I wanted to share something. God did the other day that I thought was very interesting and encouraging to me.

As many of you know, God moved me back to Alaska in August 2024. I had prayed firmly that God would do so so hopefully my family can be reconciled.

I moved to Alaska with no place to live in no car to drive. I did have a job as a teacher and a coach at a middle school. Due to no fault of my own, on November 20, 2024, I lost my teaching job. It was very painful, but I was confident God I was working.

Losing a job is not fun. It can be embarrassing and humiliating. I was so confident God was working that I just kind of moved on. The school had to pay my full salary till the end of April 2025.

From time to time, I will see one of my former students and every time the student is so nice to me and tell me they miss me. One student that I had a lot of trouble with in fact I had cut him from the basketball team saw me at a McDonald’s and was so nice to me and said that they all missed me.

Last Saturday, I was on the military base delivering an order. I got an incredible order for $59 to go to Taco Bell. However, one of the gates on the base closes at 8 PM and the gig app expecting me to go that direction. Since I was going so slow Trying to find the other exit, they remove that order and I did not get it. I was so upset, $59 and one order is a blessing.

Instead, I got a $19 order to go to the grocery store. So, I took it and went there to get it get the 4-5 items needed to complete the order.

As soon as I walked in the store, I saw a group of girls and one blonde girl look here, but I was not sure. They walked around the store, giggling and playing around like young girls do in the ninth grade. They were just having a good time playing in joking around.

I passed them several times. Finally, as I went back to the bakery, looking for a certain item, one of the girls said “Mr ###” in an exuberant way. Then all the other girls said the same thing. They were so excited to see me..

It made me sad in my heart, but it also made me happy that maybe I left a positive mark on their lives in some small way.

I asked them how their ninth grade year was going so far and they said well. Then it was time to go and I encourage them to continue to do well and to be good students and continue in the walk of life. I told them I would miss them and I wished them the best. They told me they miss me very much

I get goosebumps just typing all that.

Thank you, God for those moments that you lift us up and give us strength when it seems like our batteries are empty.

 

[Articles]

What a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness and His perfect timing! We rejoice with you in seeing how He has sustained you, even in the midst of trials, and how He used this unexpected encounter to remind you of the impact you’ve had on these young lives. It is clear that the Lord is at work in your life, even when the path seems uncertain. As you said, there is indeed power in prayer, and we see that power manifested in your story. *"The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective."* (James 5:16, WEB)

Your trust in God’s provision, even after losing your job, is a testament to your faith. You moved to Alaska with no home and no car, yet He provided a job—even if only for a season—and now He is sustaining you in new ways. The fact that your former students still hold you in such high regard speaks volumes about the godly influence you had on them. What a beautiful reminder that our labor in the Lord is never in vain! *"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."* (1 Corinthians 15:58, WEB)

We also want to lift up your heart’s desire for family reconciliation. We know this is a deep longing for you, and we pray that God would soften hearts, open doors, and bring restoration in His perfect timing. *"If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all people."* (Romans 12:18, WEB) Keep trusting Him in this, even when it feels slow or uncertain. His ways are higher than ours, and His timing is perfect.

Now, let us pray together over these things:

**Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude for the ways You have moved in this brother’s life. Lord, You are faithful, even when the road is difficult. We thank You for providing for him, even in unexpected ways, and for the encouragement You gave him through those precious students. What a reminder that You see him, You care for him, and You are using him for Your kingdom.

Father, we lift up his desire for family reconciliation. You are the God who restores, who heals, and who makes all things new. Soften hearts, Lord, and open doors that no man can shut. Let Your peace reign in his home, and let Your will be done in this situation. Give him patience, wisdom, and a heart that continues to trust in You, even as he waits.

We also pray for his next steps—whether in ministry, work, or daily provision. Guide him, Lord. Show him where You want him to serve, and provide for his every need. Let him feel Your presence in a tangible way, especially in moments of doubt or weariness.

And finally, Father, we ask that You continue to use him as a light to those around him. Just as those students were blessed by his influence, let him continue to be a vessel of Your love, truth, and grace to everyone he encounters.

We pray all these things in the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who alone is worthy of all praise. Amen.**

Brother, we encourage you to keep pressing into the Lord, even in the waiting. He is not done writing your story. The fact that those students still remember you with such fondness is a sign that your work for the Lord has eternal significance. Keep seeking Him first, trusting that He will direct your paths. *"Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."* (Proverbs 3:5-6, WEB)

Stay faithful. Stay hopeful. And keep sharing these testimonies—they build up the body of Christ and remind us all that our God is alive and active! If there are specific ways we can pray for your family reconciliation or next steps, let us know. We are standing with you in this.

 

[hostadmin]

Wow, what an incredible story! It's amazing how God works in our lives, isn't it? We're so glad to hear about your encounter with those girls at the grocery store. It's a beautiful reminder that our influence as believers doesn't end when we leave a place or a job. Those girls will likely remember your kindness and encouragement for years to come.

We're also really encouraged by your trust in God's provision, even after losing your job. It's a testament to your faith and a powerful reminder that God is always faithful, even when our circumstances aren't what we'd like them to be.

We're joining you in prayer for your family's reconciliation. We believe that God is at work in that situation too, and we trust that He will bring about healing and restoration in His perfect timing. Let's keep trusting Him and keep praying, knowing that He hears us and is working on our behalf.

Keep sharing your stories, brother. They're a source of encouragement and inspiration to us all. We're here for you, praying with you and for you. Let's keep seeking the Lord together, trusting that He has great things in store for you and your family.