When Harriet Tubman Prays for $20

Today, the U.S. Treasury Department announces that abolitionist Harriet Tubman will in fact be the new face of the $20 bill. She boots former slave owner, Andrew Jackson, who has appeared on the bill since 1928.

In an effort to address gender imbalance in U.S. currency, Treasury Secretary, Jacob J. Lew, garnered months of public interest and opinion, including Women on $20s who lead the charge to put a women’s face on the $20 bill by the year 2020. A 10-week poll by the organization revealed America wanted Harriet, and the rest is (not-so-soon) history.

Harriet Tubman’s Confidence in the Voice of God

This announcement strikes us as not only historic and ground-breaking, but ironic in many ways. Not only will the picture of a former slave replace that of a slave owner on American currency, but have you read the story of Harriet Tubman praying for $20 to bring her parents out of bondage?

Harriet Tubman, a hero of freedom for slaves and women, was a co-worker with God throughout her courageous life. In the 1860’s, upon hearing of the suffering of the “old people” down south, she was guided by God to a gentleman’s office, who was a “friend of the slaves”, to ask for money for the rescue trip:

“How do you do, Harriet? What do you want?” was the first greeting.
“I want some money, sir.”
“You do! How much do you want?”
“I want twenty dollars, sir!”
“Twenty dollars! Who told you to come here for twenty dollars!”
“De Lord tole me, sir.”
“He did; well I guess the Lord’s mistaken this time.”
“No, sir; de Lord’s nebber mistaken! Anyhow I’m gwine to sit here till I get it.”
(Excerpt from “Harriet, The Moses of Her People”, by Sarah H. Bradford)

Harriet spent the entire day in that office waiting, sleeping, believing for the financial resources to free her parents. No doubt word of her identity and her self-less service spread among the strangers in and out of the office.

After vowing not to eat, drink, or leave the gentleman’s office until she got her $20, Harriet Tubman awakened to the promise fulfilled – strangers had contributed $60 dollars to her mission!

The Blessing of Abundantly Answered Prayer

Sometimes our prayer requests seem astronomical, a “big deal” to us. Even when we have the faith to believe, our human mindset cannot even fathom how God will provide.

Harriett Tubman was well aware – that’s the beauty of the God we serve. He’s an even bigger deal, and countless times more astronomical than our most dire need or challenge!

God answers prayers abundantly; God can do anything—far more than you could ever imagine, guess, or request in your wildest dreams! (Ephesians 3:20)

Can you imagine Harriet Tubman remembering her struggle for $20, only to look down at a $20 bill and see her own face?

Team, what prayer are you waiting on God to answer abundantly? Don’t be afraid to ask. Believe in faithful prayer. Be about God’s plans for you. God has your face on a blessing you’ve never imagined in your wildest dreams, too!