In John 6:1-14, we have the account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. As Jesus taught, a great multitude followed Him around the Sea of Galilee. There was nothing to eat and nowhere to buy food.
Mark records that Jesus said, “Give ye them to eat” (Mark 6:37). In John 6, Jesus asks Philip, “Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.”
Neither Philip nor the other disciples knew what to do. Even if they had two hundred pennyworth worth of bread, they could not feed the multitude.
Andrew went out and found a small boy who was willing to give up five barley loaves and two small fishes but in bringing them to Jesus Andrew asked, “What are they among so many?” Of course, Jesus blessed and broke the loaves, and the food multiplied in His hands so that all ate and were full. There were even twelve baskets of leftovers!
In our own strength, we cannot bring anyone to Christ, but when we go to the Lord for them, He can. God hears our prayers and makes up for our weaknesses. This is what Paul was writing about in today’s verses. Pray with character! Pray for what only God can do.