The Unopened Gift: A Lesson on Prayer

Let me tell you a story

One day, a woman received a white-sealed envelope as a gift from her father before his passing, along with a simple instruction: Open this whenever you are in need.

Life, however, was good to her. She had no reason to open the envelope. Everything fell into place effortlessly, and she never lacked anything. But one day, everything changed.

She found herself in desperate need, yet no help seemed to come despite all her efforts. She reached out to those she knew, hoping for support, but all she met was disappointment. As she struggled, she began to wonder if even God had abandoned her.

While searching the house, hoping to find something—anything—that could sustain her, she stumbled upon the envelope. Time had faded its once-bright color, a testament to how long it had been left unopened.

She hesitated. How could this possibly help me now? It was just an old letter from her late father. What she needed was tangible assistance—financial relief, not a sentimental keepsake.

Still, out of idleness, she broke the seal. Inside, she found two notes: one was a blank check, the other an instruction on how to use it.

Tears filled her eyes. The answer to her struggles had been with her all along. If only she had remembered the envelope earlier - if only she had taken it seriously—she could have avoided so much pain and suffering.

The Lesson in Prayer

We are often like this woman. We have access to a powerful gift—prayer—yet we overlook it in times of trouble. Instead, we choose worry over prayer, fear over faith, and struggle over surrender. We exhaust every other option before finally turning to God, even though He has already given us the privilege to ask for whatever we need in the name of Jesus.

Prayer is our blank check. It grants us access to divine provision, guidance, and strength. Yet, too often, we let it remain unopened, treating it as a last resort rather than our first response.

One of the greatest hymns ever written, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, captures this truth beautifully:

> What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer.

The fifth line resonates deeply: Oh, what needless pain we bear. Just like the woman who suffered despite having everything she needed in her possession, we often endure unnecessary struggles because we fail to turn to God in prayer.

The Power of the Name of Jesus

A name can open doors. Many people have gained access to opportunities simply because of a connection to someone important. If the name of an influential human being can grant such privileges, how much more the name of Jesus—the name above all names?

We forfeit peace when we choose worry over prayer. We carry burdens we were never meant to bear when we refuse to lay them at God’s feet.

Conclusion 

I urge you today: do not let prayer be your last option—make it your first. Cultivate the habit of bringing everything before God in prayer. As scripture reminds us:

"You do not have because you do not ask" (James 4:2).

The next time you face a challenge, remember that you hold a blank check in your hands. Don’t leave it unopened.