Day 22 - Prayer Fleece

Boaz Ministries

“I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor.” Judges 6:37

Many of us know the story of Gideon, and how the angel of the Lord told him he would overthrow the Midianites and deliver the Israelites from their oppression. He couldn’t believe his ears! According to Gideon, his family was the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh, and he was the least in his father’s house! (Judges 6:11-15) So he tested God – to make certain that God truly meant that he was the one. The story is amazing, and one of our favorites – because Gideon laid out a woolen fleece (verses 36-40) and asked God to perform two miracles that would remove all doubt that it was God’s plan, and that Gideon was the man. God provided confirmation and the incredible plan of action! (Judges, chapters 6 - 8)

Having the Biblical precedence set for “fleece testing” gives believers another prayer tool. But just as Pastor Batterson says, "We have to be careful when it comes to putting fleeces before the Lord. Generally speaking, signs don’t precede our steps of faith; signs follow.” There are times when it’s good to ask God for confirmation because of our uncertainty. Never should we approach it haphazardly, and the following are cautions:

1. Don’t seek revelation when God has already given it. (i.e. answers are found in Scripture)
2. Make sure our motives are unselfish. We utilize the fleece out of a genuine desire to honor God and do His will.
3. Be willing to accept whatever the answer without second-guessing it.

When the Lord impresses something upon our hearts, it may take us out of our comfort zone, so much so, we may not believe it’s from Him. Gideon asked the Lord out of genuine humility, “If You are truly going to help me do this, show me a sign to prove that it is really the Lord speaking to me.” God had already assured Gideon that He would be with him and the victory was his (verse 16), yet He honored Gideon’s prayer fleece.

God knows our hearts, and He’s faithful to perform on our behalf. There may be times when we’ll need to put a prayer fleece before the Lord. Let us not forget that no matter what God has called us to do, we have the assurance that God is with us, and God is for us!