Because of my bible study group’s prayers and my prayers, I received a full grant and scholarships for my graduate school. I did not have to borrow any federal loans. I was very blessed and God indeed heard our prayers. However, this past January, I faced an uncertain situation that got me feeling worried. My tuition bill for the spring semester was not paid even after the deadline passed by. The tuition was due in December 2021, but I mistakenly assumed that the tuition bill was due end of January. Even after January 2022 came and went, my grant and scholarships did not arrive to be processed by the Business office at my university. Despite the fact that my spring tuition invoice was not paid, I was still enrolled in my classes and in my full-time internship. For three months, I waited and continuously prayed to God about this uncertainty. I was worried that I would not be able to graduate on time because my spring tuition bill was not paid. Several times, I would log in my university account and check if the Business office received the full grant. Nothing. No new updates. I felt defeated while looking at my computer screen. Still, I continued to pray to God. I prayed to God to expedite the payment process and I prayed to God to tell the director who was in charge of reviewing my paperwork and the reason(s) why I want the organization to send the full grant to my graduate school. I prayed to God to tell the director to approve the payment. As quoted, I prayed to God to “please take care of this financial issue please. I pray in Jesus’s name amen.” I did not pray once nor twice. I kept praying. I prayed while I was in the shower, while I was in the bathroom, and even while I was driving. And God was listening to my prayer requests.

On March 25, 2022, I received an email saying that my registration is on hold. Moreover, I can’t graduate if my tuition bill is not paid. I contacted the employee who works at the organization and emailed the employee if her supervisor approved the payment yet. It was a lot of back and forth exchange of emails. I did not tell my bible study group nor other people about this situation because I did not want to share my worries and this issue with other people. I did not want to look bad in front of others. My mom knows about this issue. Of course I felt worried, but I did not stop praying. Finally, the night before I found out that the organization sent the full grant, I prayed to God while I was laying in bed. I prayed to God to please expedite the payment process for my graduate school so that I can graduate on time. The next day, Saturday morning, April 12, 2022, I logged in again to check if the full grant arrived yet. To my surprise, the full grant arrived finally! God heard my prayers including my prayer request that I prayed the night before I went to sleep!

I thank God for answering my prayers! Admittedly, I want to share that a question came to my mind. Why did God make me wait for a few months after the tuition was overdue? The tuition was due last December before my classes begin in January. Why did I wait for months until finally God answered my prayers and expedited the payment process for my graduate school? This question was in my head. I don’t want to sound like I am not thankful, but I couldn’t help but think of that question. Why did I wait? Those past few months, I felt uncertain and worried. It was a time of uncertainty for me. Then, after some time, I came upon this bible verse in my Youversion bible app that I think was God’s answer to my question in my head. I don’t remember the exact bible verse, but it was about God wanting to test my faith and to see if I really trust Him. I think God wanted to see if I really trust Him even during this time of uncertainty. God wants us to trust Him no matter what is happening right now. No matter the circumstances, God wants us to trust Him everyday and every night. God wants to see if you really trust Him with your life, with your finances, and with your goals and dreams. God tested Abraham. In Genesis 22:1-2, as quoted,

Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”

Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Faith,-Testing-Of

God tested Abraham’s faith. God wanted to see if Abraham really trusted God with his son Isaac. Abraham and his wife Sarah waited for a long time for God’s promise, that is, to bore a healthy son. Now that Abraham and Sarah are raising Isaac, God wanted to see if Abraham trusted God and if Abraham will obey God’s command. Abraham did pass the test because Abraham did not turn away from God and he trusted that God will raise Isaac from the dead. I think that is why God had me wait during those months. I prayed in January, February, March, and April. April, the month before I was to graduate, I prayed to God to expedite the payment process so that my spring tuition bill is paid and that I can graduate on time in May. And God answered my prayers. He did not get tired of hearing my prayers. God listens even when you don’t think He is listening, but He is listening. I thank God for all that He does for me and for my family and for others. Keep praying, my friends! In the Bible, Luke 18:1 states that you should always pray and NEVER give up.