Praying Through IRS Problems

I’ve experienced problems with the IRS. I know what it’s like to get a notice that your paycheck will be attached. I know what it feels like to be in hopeless fear in the face of IRS intimidation, with seemingly no way out.

But this article isn’t about me.

The Setup

A few years ago I came in contact with a relative whose boyfriend was having severe problems with the IRS. Through an attorney he had made little headway. The IRS thought he had money, so they kept hounding him. They investigated everything, then did it again. He offered them a settlement, and the IRS rejected it.

My relative wanted to marry this man, but the tax attorney warned him to not even get engaged until the entire issue was resolved, or the attorney would have to start all over again… something no one wanted.

Taking it to Prayer

After hearing the story I took a special interest in the situation. Like I said earlier, I knew what it was like… even though my IRS problems had been no where close to this man’s.

I don’t have any contacts at the IRS… no special tax knowledge… and certainly not enough money to help the guy out. I felt much like Peter and John at the gate called “Beautiful”. When faced with a crippled beggar who wanted money from them, Peter said, “Look at me. I don’t have any money, but I do have something that will help… In the name of Jesus, rise up and walk.”

I didn’t have anything in the physical realm that could help, but I did have spiritual knowledge, so I took the issue to God in prayer.

Praying for a Season

I think I carried this situation in prayer for about 2 weeks before I felt inside that I had the answer. Along with that assurance from God I also had some impressions about the situation and how it would end.

It seemed to me that someone in the IRS was going to soon say, “This is ridiculous. Let’s get this thing taken care of and get it off the books.”

I called my relative and left a message on her voicemail, telling her I felt the situation would soon end, and how I felt it would end.

Coming to Pass

I was later told that they saved that voicemail and listened to it often over the next couple of weeks. Then they got a call from the IRS… not from the group they had been working with/against, but from an entirely different group. It seems that someone in that group found out about this particular case and basically said what God had given me in prayer. That group took over the case and brought it to a speedy conclusion.

This, then, opened the door for a proposal, and engagement, and a “happily ever after” wedding.

Pay Attention

When you learn how to take prayer projects to God and to stick with them until you get the answer, you’ll be of great help to others, too. It can’t help but stand out when you can Pray Through, get the assurance that the situation is taken care of, AND THEN tell someone how it will turn out.

Pay attention… there are people out there who need your help. By taking on their burden you show forth the reality of a living God.

Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. – Matthew 7:7