Dying Elisha gives King Jehoash a bow, an open window, and a bundle of arrows: strike the ground. The king taps three polite times and stops, and the prophet is angry: you should have struck five or six times.

God had full victory on offer; the king brought half a heart. Today asks how many times you strike, and introduces a preacher named Apollos who lets himself be taught more adequately.

Jehoash's three taps are one of Scripture's saddest small moments: heaven's full victory throttled by a man's low expectations and dignified restraint. God takes our asking seriously, sometimes measuring blessing by the boldness of the vessel. Polite faith leaves arrows in the quiver.

Apollos shows the opposite spirit: already eloquent, already mighty in Scripture, and still humble enough to be pulled aside by tentmakers and taught more adequately. Strike the ground with your prayers this week, more times than feels reasonable, and stay teachable while you do. Full quivers and open ears make history.