Several weeks ago Spur Ottawa ran an article highlighting how God answers prayer and challenging readers to share stories of what God has done in their lives. Here is an encouraging testimony one reader sent in…

It was decision time. Ken had just finished year one of his M. Div. at Huron College at. Presbytery (we were with the United Church at the time) wanted him to do his next two years at a United Church Seminary. That left us with moving—to Vancouver (Regent), Toronto (Immanuel), or Kingston (Queens). A big decision when money was a factor and you have three children under 5 and one on the way. Vancouver held the allure of the West, but seemed impossible financially. Toronto was an option, but it still was expensive. Yet, Kingston seemed far away and we had determined to not ask for support or borrow money.

After much prayer, Ken applied to Queens and we headed to Kingston to see if we could find accommodations. Queens housing was full and the Whig Standard headlines on the day of arrival in August said, “Housing hard to find”. To make matters worse we had no steady income other than baby bonus (at that time about $75 per month), two sponsors (providing $50 per month) and sporadic support. We prayed for a place where the children could play outside and a school close by for Jeremi’s kindergarten-start.

We watched the papers, made phone calls, and every day Ken went to the student housing office to see if there was anything—to no avail.

The Lord not only answered prayer for a house close to the campus, but gave us a couple of bonuses as well.

Our last day there, we stopped at the student housing once more to check out the listings. One of the ladies who worked there saw Ken and said, “You are looking for a house aren’t you? This listing just came in but I won’t post it until you call him if you wish.”

Ken took the phone number and made the call and the owner agreed to meet with us at the place. Mario, questioned Ken on the family, why he was going to Queens, and how much we could afford (only $350 per month).

“I could rent this place out for $500 a month,” he told Ken, “and I don’t really care what they do to it since I’m going to tear it down in the spring, but I will rent it to you.” (He was building a restaurant in front of the house and needed the lot for parking.)

The Lord not only answered prayer for a house close to the campus, but gave us a couple of bonuses as well. We formed a friendship with the butcher across the street and from time to time he would give us premium cuts at the same discount prices we would have paid for other cuts. Also across the street was a family whose husband was at Queens Theological School, as well, and his son agreed to walk Jeremi to and from kindergarten.

Providing for our housing needs was just one way God answered prayer for us during those three years of theological training, leaving us debt free. 

Spur Ottawa would love to hear your stories of how God answers prayer. Share a story on social media and tag us or send us an email to encourage others that #GodAnswersPrayer.