Lord, Send the Ravens
JENNIFER DUKES LEE
Lee en español
“The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening …” 1 Kings 17:6 (NIV)
Have you ever experienced God’s provision in a way you never could have predicted, right when you needed it most?
It happened to me at an airport at 6 a.m. sharp.
Our daughter was heading out to serve in long-term ministry at a church on the other side of the world. Just before she passed through the TSA checkpoint, she turned around and mouthed the words “I love you,” forming her hands into the shape of a heart.
As she disappeared, I bawled my eyes out.
A woman nearby approached me and said, “Your daughter’s been called on a mission, hasn’t she? She’ll do just fine. God goes with her.” I nodded and cried on a stranger's shoulder.
She told me her own daughter had been sent overseas on a long-term mission years earlier. God met me through this unexpected person with exactly the words I needed.
That moment has stayed with me. In a way, that woman was what I call a “modern-day raven.” Let me tell you more.
Last year, I studied all 200-plus mornings mentioned in Scripture and came across a morning story about ravens, tucked into 1 Kings 17, that made me smile: “The ravens brought [Elijah] bread and meat in the morning …” (1 Kings 17:6).
In this passage, the prophet Elijah was alone in the Kerith Ravine, cut off from normal provision of food and drink. But God provided. Not through an angel or another prophet … through ravens!
You’ve gotta love this, right? Ravens! It’s like the world’s first Door Dash — delivery by beak.
This wasn’t just unlikely. It was borderline scandalous. Jews considered ravens to be ceremonially unclean and undesirable. Granted, Elijah wasn’t eating a raven, which God had forbidden in Leviticus 11:13-15, but he was certainly depending on one.
To me, this moment proves that God often works in ways that defy conventional expectations. It’s a reminder that God is running the show, and He can use whatever means necessary to care for us. He is endlessly creative.
These days, when I need God’s help, I find myself praying a simple prayer: Lord, send the ravens.
When I pray that, I’m saying, God, show up — however You choose.
God’s provision is rarely predictable, but it is always personal.
For Elijah, provision looked like ravens.
For the Israelites in the wilderness, it looked like manna, bread from heaven.
For me, it looked like a stranger in a TSA line.
Sometimes God’s provision comes through people; other times it's a peace we can’t explain or a strength we didn’t have yesterday.
Where do you need God to show up unexpectedly today? Name what you need from Him, and then pray this prayer …
Father, open my eyes to the provision You send, and steady my heart as I wait. I place my needs in Your loving hands today. Lord, send the ravens. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
If you liked today’s devotion, you’ll love Jennifer’s new book, How to Love Your Morning, and the How to Love Your Morning Bible Study. In these two resources, she unpacks some of the most notable and some of the most overlooked “morning stories” in Scripture to help you start your day with joy and purpose. Preorder now and claim some amazing gifts at HowtoLoveYourMorning.com.
ENGAGE
Jennifer Dukes Lee is an author, speaker, and self-described “morning evangelist” encouraging women to meet God in the middle of their real, imperfect mornings. Connect with Jennifer on Instagram, where she helps you meet Jesus at the start of each new day.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (NIV).
Where are you tempted to believe God’s provision has limits? Where in your life do you need God to “send the ravens”? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2026 by Jennifer Dukes Lee. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
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