Summary: "We're lost--or at least we will be if we choose the wrong path," Austin said slowly. He and Carter were retracing their way back to camp, and they had just realized they didn't know which fork in the trail they needed. "Oh, no!" groaned Carter. "Nobody knows where we are since we didn't get permission to go hiking. We should have asked if it was okay." "We couldn't--the rules say no hiking without a counselor!" grumbled Austin. "They shouldn't make such strict rules!" He thought for a few minutes. "Let's pray for help," he suggested. Carter nodded, so the boys bowed their heads and asked God to help them find the way back to camp. Then Austin studied each of the two paths again. "Hey, look!" He pointed. "That's the path we came on! There's the candy wrapper you dropped when we came this way." Carter grinned sheepishly. "I guess it's good I was a litterbug today," he said. When the boys arrived at camp, everyone was relieved that they were safe. They had been missed, and a search party was being organized to look for them. Carter and Austin exchanged worried glances when Mr. Heston, the camp director, told them he wanted to see them in his office. "I think we're in trouble," whispered Austin nervously. "Let's tell Mr. Heston how we prayed and God answered," Carter whispered back. "That should make him forget we broke the rules." Mr. Heston listened soberly as the boys told him about praying. Then he said, "I'm not at all sure God answered your prayers." Austin and Carter could hardly believe what they heard. "I didn't hear any indication that you boys were sorry you broke the rules--only that you got lost," Mr. Heston continued. "You didn't ask me to forgive you for disobeying, and as far as I know, you didn't ask God to forgive you, either. The Bible says if we regard iniquity in our hearts--that is, if we aren't sorry for our sin or we refuse to give it up--the Lord won't hear us." "But after we prayed, we found the right path," argued Austin. Mr. Heston nodded. "While you prayed out there in the woods, the counselors and I prayed here at camp," he said. "I wonder . . . Do you think God answered your prayers, or ours?" How About You? When you get into a tight spot, do you quickly pray for help? That's good, but as you pray, be sure to examine your heart. Is there unconfessed sin there? Are you willing to turn from it? If not, God says He won't hear your prayer. But if you're sorry and confess it to God, asking Him to forgive you, you'll be ready to bring your requests to Him. Today's Key Verse: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear. (Psalm 66:18) Today's Key Thought: Confess sin, then bring requests
