08/01/2026
I heard this testimony by Dr Cho many many years ago. His stating details details details when you pray is something I never forgot and specify to others.
Enjoy this!!
In the beginning of my ministry, I was still single; therefore, I lived in a small room. In the winter, I would wrap blankets around myself because I had no heat.
Preaching the things that I was seeing in the Scripture concerning God's abundance, I found myself in a predicament. If God was so good, if He had such great and abundant resources, why was I so poor? This is a
question that many, especially in the developing world, are still asking.
I decided I needed three things. Since I had no way to visit my members, I needed a bicycle. Having nothing on which to place my Bible, I really needed a desk. To go with the desk, I decided to ask for a chair. These three
items seem very small to us today, but forty years ago these items were very rare in our area.
However, in complete confidence, I asked my heavenly Father for the three items: a bicycle, a desk, and a chair. Month after month, I repeated these petitions to God, feeling that by continually requesting the same thing, He would finally hear and answer me. Yet, after six
months, I became discouraged. "God, I know time means nothing to You. Yet, I really need these things now.
Perhaps You plan on taking much longer in answering my request. But, if You wait too long, I'll be dead and won't need them," I prayed despondently.
Then, I heard a still small voice within me, "Son, I heard you the first day you prayed six months ago."
"Well, why didn't You give them to me?" I asked.
"You asked me for a bicycle. Right?" God continued.
"However, there are many makes of bicycles. What kind do you want? There are also different desks made out of different kinds of wood. What kind of desk do you want?
There are a number of makes and kinds of chairs. What kind of chair do you want?" Those words, spoken to me that night, totally revolutionized my life.
I decided to ask God for three specific items: A bicycle made in the United States. At that time, I had three choices of bicycles, but the American one was the sturdiest. I asked for a desk made from Philippine mahogany. Finally, I asked for a chair, but not just any
chair—this one had little wheels on the bottom, so I could wheel around my room like a "big shot." Within two weeks, I was given a slightly used American bike by the son of an American missionary. I received my desk, made from mahogany wood from the Philippines, and a chair to go with my desk. Of course, it had the little wheels.
The amusing part of this story took place before God's provision came. One Sunday, I preached on Romans 4:17, "(As it is written, I have made thee [Abraham] a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed,
even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were." During my sermon, I heard myself saying, with great assurance, "I have been given a bicycle, chair, and desk." I then went
on to describe each item.
Three young men who are now in the ministry asked me after the service, "Pastor, can we see these three great gifts God has given you?" Understandably, they were curious, because any one of those things would be considered unusual possessions in that area.
On the way home, I found myself fretting over what I was going to say to those young men when they saw an empty room. As I opened the door, I saw them looking around the barren little room for the bicycle, chair, and desk. "Pastor," one of them finally asked, looking very
perplexed, "where are they?"
"Right here!" I exclaimed, pointing to my stomach.
"Where?" they all asked.
"Yes, right here!" I said, again pointing to my stomach.
"Let me explain by asking a question," I calmly continued, amazed at my own answer. "Where were you before you were born?""In my mother's womb," one finally answered me.
"Correct! Now, did you exist before you were born?"
I asked them, seeing a glimmer of light now begin to shine in their faces.
"Yes, naturally we existed in our mother's womb."
"But no one could see you," I smiled, as I told them what they finally realized was my condition.
"Yes, I'm pregnant, too! I am pregnant with a chair, desk, and a bicycle that is made in America!" I proudly
exclaimed, now seeing the look of surprise on their faces turn to laughter.
"Well, Pastor, so you are pregnant!" they said, laughing out loud.
I tried to caution them not to tell anyone about it, but something as strange as a man being pregnant could not be kept quiet. Word spread throughout the entire neighborhood that the pastor of the local church was
pregnant. Women would look at me and smile as I walked by. Little children would put their hands on my stomach to feel for the bicycle.
Yet, when God miraculously provided for each item, I was the one who was smiling. In this way, God taught me
to be specific in my petitions. This is how to pray in faith:
Do not pray in generalities; know what you need and write it down; tell God in detail exactly what you are asking for; and then begin to confess that you have received it. You may not want to do it in public, but begin
to thank God and confess the answer. Remember that what we ask in faith, God will provide.
It has been significant for God to teach this to a pastor from a small country. Usually, only Western preachers talk about God's abundance in providing for their needs.
But I can testify that God can do the same for any man or woman who will petition God according to His holy Word.
So often our sociological and economic conditions dictate our faith level. This is why it is so important for us to ask God to increase our visions and dreams, which are the language of the Holy Spirit. By having a greater
vision we can see the greater provision of God.
Winston Churchill once said that great men must come from great countries, live in great times, and perform great tasks. This is normally true. However, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came from a small and weak country—Israel. At the time of our Lord's coming, Israel was under the oppression of the Roman Empire.
Although He performed the greatest of tasks, He certainly did not live in a great time for Israel. Yet He is the focal point of human history.
No matter who you are, you can make a difference!
Your life can change your nation and the world—if you know the secret of petitioning prayer.
Solomon said, "A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men" (Prov. 18:16).
God desires to give you much more than you can dream or imagine. Ask God for the gift that will cause you to have the greatest effect on your situation. Do not be satisfied with the status quo! I came from a poor home, from a
poor country, and from poor natural circumstances. Yet, I have never had to force my way before great men (in the eyes of the world). The gracious gift that God has given
me has brought me before kings, queens, presidents, and many notable world leaders.
If God can do this for me, He can do this for you, too!
Even if you are reading this book in a poor Latin American country, your life can make an imprint on that country and the whole world. No matter in what location you find yourself, God may desire to use you in great revival fires that will sweep Africa, Asia, Europe, or America. Ask, and you will receive!
- Dr David Yongi Cho (Prayer That Brings Revival)
- Spiritual Notes
