For you it may be the mountains, your prayer closet, a riverside, a sunset or sun rising, but for me it is the ocean.

When I am near the ocean, God seems closer. He has created some amazing visits between Himself and me while I was visiting the ocean. I’ve witnessed His greatness, stood in awe of creativity and hugeness, had my faith increased, felt His peace, experienced His nearness.

Driving back to Mobile from Dauphin Island, though, I experienced something new.

But before I tell you the new thing, you need to understand that because of all the wonderfulness that happens, I cry at the first glimpse of the water, and when I have to leave, I keep my eye peeled for every glimpse until there are no more, and I cry again.

That is the setting of this new thing. I was leaving the water for the last time of this visit, and I did not know when I might see the ocean again.

The moon would be full the next evening, so it was so very bright but completely hidden behind a cloud cover. It made for some beautiful and interesting patterns in the sky and on the water, but I longed to see the moon exposed and reflecting on the water. Knowing the moon would go higher and higher in the sky and would naturally be further from view behind the thick clouds, I told my husband—who was driving, by the way, allowing me to watch so diligently—“I would love it if God would let me see the moon on the water before I leave, but that may not be what is best for everyone else.”

I kept watching, and a tiny, tiny hole appeared in the clouds, stayed for a few seconds, and closed right back up again. It was so bright that it had to be right in front of the moon. I told Kevin, “God just winked at me!!” I was so excited and felt so loved!

But God wasn’t finished! Just a short time later, the cloud ceiling lifted higher, and the entire moon was exposed, shining beautifully on the water! Immediately, I felt so very loved, heard, and noticed by the Creator, by my God. His love overcame me thoroughly. I felt that it was confirmation that He hears me, is aware of me, and that He is answering not only my prayers but giving me my heart’s desire of salvation for some people I love dearly.

It was a beautiful night. The road wound further and further from the water, and the glimpses became fewer and farther between, but still the moon remained uncovered throughout our drive back to Mobile. I basically sniffled until I could no longer see the water.

Why did I share this experience with you? I want you to know that sometimes all it takes is a short prayer.

I know God heard me speak my heart’s desire to see the moon over the water, even though I didn’t actually pray a long, detailed prayer, and He almost immediately gave it to me—after the wink, of course. Within probably one minute, my prayer was answered!

You may have experienced similar answers or experiences, something God did that showed His power and great love for you. If you haven’t, keep pressing in, getting closer and closer to Him, building your relationship. I believe with all my heart that God wants that closeness with you, too. He loves you and wants to bless you.

Are all my prayers answered so evidently and quickly? No, and that is one of the reasons this experience was so precious. It reminded me that God hears and answers my prayers, even when the answering is not so very evident.

I believe my relationship with God and the time I spend in His presence and in prayer set the stage for this miraculous show of His love and power in my life.

Sometimes you have to “pray without ceasing” before your prayer is answered:

• While Peter was in prison, “constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (Acts 12:5 NKJV).
• Sometimes you have to tarry in prayer with others like those in upper room before the Holy Spirit came: “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers” (Acts 1:14).
• Sometimes you have to pray twice like Jesus when He healed the blind man (Mark 8:22–26).

But sometimes you only have to pray a short prayer:

• Jesus’ mother, Mary, simply stated the situation: “They have no wine” (John 2:3). She had a relationship.
• Elijah obeyed and prayed according to what God told him: “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again” (1 Kings 18:36–37). He had a relationship.
• Peter stated God’s will: “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). He had a relationship.
• Joshua spoke to the Lord during a battle and then proclaimed, “Sun, stand still over Gibeon; And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon” (Joshua 10:12). He had a relationship.

When your relationship with God is already built, sometimes all it takes is a short prayer!