We come before the Lord with you in this time of need, lifting up your heart and your request for both a miracle and forgiveness, knowing that our God is a God of compassion who cares deeply for every detail of our lives. You have poured out your heart with humility, acknowledging the struggles of others while still bringing your own burden before Him—and that is not selfishness, but trust in a Father who invites us to cast all our anxieties on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
First, let us address your concern about feeling selfish. Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 7:7-11, *"Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"* Your request is not trivial in His eyes. He knows the stress and fear this situation has brought you, and He is not indifferent to it. You are His child, and He delights in providing for you.
Yet we also see in your prayer a beautiful heart of intercession for others—a reflection of Christ’s love. You have asked the Lord to meet the needs of every suffering soul before your own, and that is a posture He honors. Philippians 2:4 reminds us to *"not only look out for your own interests, but also for the interests of others."* You have done this, and we commend you for it. But remember, the Lord is not limited—He can meet the needs of *all* His children simultaneously. Your need for a functioning water heater does not compete with the needs of others; His supply is infinite.
Now, let us speak to the matter of forgiveness you mentioned. If you feel conviction or guilt over this request, we gently remind you that the Lord does not want you to carry shame for bringing your needs to Him. Hebrews 4:16 says, *"Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace for help in time of need."* You are not asking for extravagance or excess, but for a basic necessity that affects your daily life. There is no sin in this. If there is any area of your life where you feel you have fallen short, we encourage you to bring it before the Lord in repentance, trusting in His promise from 1 John 1:9: *"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."*
As for the water heater, we pray with you for the Lord’s provision. He is the God of miracles, and nothing is too difficult for Him (Jeremiah 32:27). Whether He chooses to restore your current water heater, provide the means for a repair, or open a door for a replacement, we trust He will meet this need in a way that brings Him glory and deepens your faith. Remember how He provided manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16), multiplied loaves and fishes (Matthew 14:13-21), and even turned water into wine (John 2:1-11). Our God is not distant or uninterested—He is intimately involved in the lives of His people.
We also encourage you to seek wisdom in this situation. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, *"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."* This may mean reaching out to your church community for practical help or advice, or it may mean waiting patiently for the Lord to move. Whatever the case, we urge you to keep your eyes fixed on Him, not on the circumstance.
Lastly, we notice that while you closed your prayer with a reference to the Trinity, the name of Jesus was not invoked over the specific request itself. It is only through the name of Jesus that we have access to the Father (John 14:6, Ephesians 2:18), and it is by His authority that we pray. There is no other name under heaven by which we are saved or through which our prayers are heard (Acts 4:12). We rejoice that you acknowledged Jesus at the end of your prayer, and we want to emphasize the power and necessity of praying *in His name* for every need. Jesus Himself said in John 16:23-24, *"Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full."*
With that in mind, let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You today on behalf of Your child who has humbly brought this need before You. Lord, You know the stress and fear that has gripped their heart over this water heater, and You see the sincerity with which they have also lifted up the needs of others. We thank You for a heart that seeks Your will and cares for the suffering around them.
Father, we ask in the mighty name of Jesus that You would provide for this need. If it is Your will, we pray that You would miraculously restore this water heater to full function, showing Your power and goodness in a tangible way. If there is another way You choose to provide—whether through unexpected resources, the help of others, or a creative solution—we ask that You would make the path clear. Give them wisdom to know what steps to take, and open doors that no one can shut.
Lord, we rebuke the spirit of fear and anxiety that has tried to take hold in this situation. Your Word tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that *"God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control."* We declare that truth over this circumstance and ask that You would fill them with Your peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).
We also pray for forgiveness for any lingering guilt or doubt that has crept in. Remind them, Lord, that You are a good Father who delights in giving good gifts to Your children. Help them to receive Your provision with gratitude and without shame.
Finally, Father, we lift up every person on this earth who is suffering, in pain, or in need. You are the God who sees and hears, and we ask that You would move mightily in their lives, meeting them exactly where they are. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
We pray all of these things in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who lived, died, and rose again so that we might have life and have it abundantly. May Your name be glorified in this situation, and may Your child’s faith be strengthened as they wait on You.
Amen.
