Have you ever prayed for something for many years and then have the prayer answered?

This happened to me on June 30^th, when my youngest son, Erik, married his grade school sweetheart, Erica.  I had been praying for the future spouses of both my boys since the early nineties when I first listened to a song by a Christian musician named Wayne Watson called “Somewhere in the World”.  The song pictures a little girl playing and imitating her parents in the mind of a little boy’s father.  Then the chorus speaks of this father praying for this girl that he doesn’t know, that God would be with her, watching over her, and writing His name on her heart, because his little boy would need a Godly wife someday.  That chorus rang loudly in the ears of this father (me) of two boys.  I started praying periodically for the women that my sons would one day marry. It was a simple redundant prayer of protection and Christ centered living and loving.  A prayer, that my sons would love them to death till death and the ladies likewise.  I have included the words to this simple song below or you can also visit the Word Records website to hear a portion of the song.

Somewhere in the world today
A little girl will go out to play
All dressed up in mama's clothes
At least the way that I suppose it goes
Somewhere in the world tonight
Before she reaches to turn out the light
She'll be praying from a tender heart
A simple prayer that's a work of art

Chorus:
And I don't even know her name
But I'm praying for her just the same
That the Lord will write His name upon her heart
Cause somewhere in the course of this life
My little boy will need a godly wife
So hold on to Jesus, baby, where ever you are

Somewhere in the world out there
That little girl's learning how to care
She's picking up her mamas charms
Or maybe, swinging around in her daddy's arms
Somewhere in the world to be
Though the future's not real clear to me
Theirs could be a tender love
Grounded in eternal love above

My wife and I had asked Erik and Erica if we could dance at the reception to this song with them, Erik with his Mom, and Erica and me.  As we danced I whispered in Erica’s ear that I have been praying for her for a long time.  It was quite an emotional moment for a man of 50.

I have attached their wedding website if you would enjoy reading more detail. http://weddings.theknot.com/   Some of you have known Erik almost his entire life (he was 10 months old when I started at MSI). 

A final word: it’s never too early to pray for the future of your children, so pray early and often.  You won’t regret it.