Fleece Prayer

Gideon prayed a “fleece prayer” to discern if God really wanted him to complete a mission. Read Judges 6:36-40.

Introduction by Pastor Tony: On November 5 as I greeted people before Sunday morning worship, Diane Forler, who serves on the worship team, shared with me that she was changing jobs after putting out a “golden fleece.” That comment immediately caught my attention because I was scheduled to preach on “Gideon’s Fleece Prayer” on November 19. In Judges 6:36-40, Gideon is trying to determine God’s will for his life. As part of the discernment process, Gideon set some fleece on the ground and prayed, “God, if it is your will, then let the fleece be wet and the ground be dry in the morning.” The next morning, it was so. Then he asked for the opposite result the next morning, and it was so. A “fleece prayer” is a request that certain circumstances be fulfilled as assurance that God is leading us in the direction we think God wants us to go. I asked Diane to share her story with us about how her “fleece prayer” led her to discern God’s will.

Blog by Diane Forler: It's been a wild week so far!! I thought I was done changing jobs and in my final position before retirement. I was not thrilled but was fine with the job for the most part, not looking for anything else. But just 3 months into this position, I got an email from the HR department at a local specialty hospital - one that had always been of interest to me. Most emails like that I would just delete, but for some reason I felt pulled toward this one and found myself answering that I was interested in the job. 

That does not always mean anything will happen, as in health care, it is difficult to tell what positions being recruited are actually real. But I got a call back the same day I answered the inquiry. That was quick! 

The HR guy who called was a lot of fun to talk to and put me immediately at ease. He had sought me out after finding my resume online and determining my background was a good fit. Every pharmacist in the world is looking for a better job right now, but he picked me!!

We discussed the job, and it sounded more and more like a job description I would write for myself. We talked about money in general and it sounded worth pursuing, so we set up an interview via zoom with the Director of Pharmacy. 

That's when I put out the post asking for prayers for a "big decision." I had a huge response from prayer warriors locally and across the country. I talked to my husband and a couple of friends, as I knew I wanted to do well in this interview, but who changes jobs after 3 months when they aren't even looking? The prayers were in, and I asked God to basically hit me over the head with a 2x4 and tell me what to do. Eric and my close friends knew I had some frustrations and leaned toward me taking the new job.

The interview went extremely well on that Wednesday morning. After talking with the hiring director, I felt not only like the job and I were perfectly suited, but I also felt like I had made a new friend. It went that well. Four hours later, the phone rang, and I was offered the job!! The money was a little short, though, and that was my "out" if this really wasn't God's will. After all, I have a kid on the 6-year college plan and two recently totaled cars to replace, plus the issue of having to wait for insurance, so I had to go back to them and negotiate it up if I could. That's when I told God, "This is it. I think you are leading me to this, but I don't think I can take less than I am making. So, I'm going to ask, and You lead the way."

I asked, and they doubled the difference. I asked to tour the facility and was able to go the same day. I felt like I had come home. 

I start as Clinical Pharmacy Manager at a local hospital on November 27!!