I once heard a story about a mother who got a call from school saying her young daughter was ill. She hurried to pick up her child and then called the doctor. But the doctor’s schedule was already overbooked that day. He could see the child the following morning, and in the meantime recommended an over-the-counter medicine to ease her symptoms.

The mother tucked her little girl in bed and drove to the pharmacy, bought the medicine, and hurried back to her car, only to realize she’d left her keys in the ignition and locked herself out!

When she called her daughter to explain why it was going to take more time to get home, the little girl told her to find a coat hanger. “Mommy, I’ve seen it on TV. They stick the coat hanger down inside the window, hook it on the handle, and the door opens.”

The mother went back into the store and was able to get a wire coat hanger. She made attempt after attempt to open the car door, with no luck. Finally, she lifted her racing heart to the heavenly Father. “I don’t know what to do, Lord. My keys are locked in the car, my little girl is at home sick, and I’m here with this coat hanger. Lord, please send someone to help me.”

As she finished her prayer, a car pulled up at the curb and dropped off a passenger. The man had a rough look, like he hadn’t shaved for days, and it occurred to her he might be homeless. But she said to him, “Sir, can you help me?”

“What’s the problem?” he said.

“I’ve locked my keys in the car, and I’ve got this coat hanger, but I don’t know what to do with it.”

“Lady, let me have your coat hanger.”

After bending the hanger and inserting it down alongside the window glass, he quickly opened the car door.

The mother was so overwhelmed that she threw her arms around the scruffy guy and gave him a hug. “You are such a good man,” she told him.

“Lady,” he replied, “I’m no good man. I just got out of prison this morning.”

As he walked away, the mother lifted her hands up to heaven and prayed again. “Thank You, Lord—You sent me a professional.”

God sometimes answers prayers in unexpected ways! In fact, I think He finds great delight in surprising us with His answers. But regardless of how the answer comes, He hears our prayers and responds to them. For this reason, prayer is the overarching key to being an Overcomer.

David Jeremiah, Overcomer: 8 Ways to Live a Life of Unstoppable Strength, Unmovable Faith, and Unbelievable Power (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).

I have just completed a 10 Week Bible Study Lesson Series on David Jeremiah’s book Overcomer. It is available on Amazon in both print and Kindle versions, as well as part of my Good Questions Have Groups Talking Subscription plan. The idea is to invite each participant to purchase their own book. Topics include:

Overcomer: Lesson #1
Overcomer / 1 Samuel 17
David and Goliath

Overcomer: Lesson #2
Overcoming Weaknesses with Strength
Ephesians 6.10

Overcomer: Lesson #3
Overcoming Falsehood with Truth
Ephesians 6.14

Overcomer: Lesson #4
Overcoming Evil with Good
Ephesians 6.14

Overcomer: Lesson #5
Overcoming Anxiety with Peace
Ephesians 6.15

Overcomer: Lesson #6
Overcoming Fear with Faith
Ephesians 6.16

Overcomer: Lesson #7
Overcoming Confusion with Wisdom
Ephesians 6.17

Overcomer: Lesson #8
Overcoming Temptation with Scripture
Ephesians 6.17

Overcomer: Lesson #9
Overcoming Everything with Prayer
Ephesians 6.18

Overcomer: Lesson #10
Overcoming Death with Life
1 John 5.1 – 5

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