I Believe in Prayer

 I believe in praying for things.  I believe it is right and pleasing to God when we ask him to heal, to provide, to redeem.  During Jesus’ life, he healed every person who asked.  The only need he didn’t meet was the one that was not requested.  He even brought money out of a fish’s mouth when Peter was concerned about the temple tax.  Of course, he talked it out with him first. 

 I believe in praying when the need arises, when the trouble comes, when the sickness overtakes us.  I believe that God is honored when we ask and receive.  I think he is glorified whether or not we are grateful, though he does require a grateful heart in return.  That is valuable topic in its own right, but not today’s topic.

 I have often asked God the hard questions when I prayed and did not receive the expected end.  I try to do so with a willing and respectful heart.  And so I have asked of late.  Prayers that my mind said “This should be given,’ have resulted is agony while others have been answered speedily.  There is always the question “Why?” scattered among the tears.  Last week was one of those as our world said  “Farewell” to a sweet young mother of 20 years with an adorable baby girl.

  Yet today, I heard the answer in my spirit and my mind raced for a bit along side the One who gives wisdom and comfort.  I was reminded that there were 2 thieves at the crucifixion of Jesus.  One angrily yelled “Get me out of this!”  I realized that 90% of my prayer life consists of my insistence that God do something with my situation.  I want him to get me or someone I care about out of some difficulty often created through rebellion or foolish behavior.  Sometimes this is not the case, but more often it is.  Jesus had no reply to that thief's prayer.

 The other thief cried out “Take me with you.”  He had faith that the moment was not the end.  And he wanted to follow and be with this messiah who was dying in humble triumph.  Jesus answered “Today.”

I was already aware that there are prayers that do not coincide with truth.  Jesus did have the power to refuse death.  But he chose it for our redemption.  That was the truth of his mission, his destiny.  He could not choose otherwise and be true.  And so when  truth will not agree to get us out of the situation we are in, do we have the faith to ask Him to keep us close, to take us with him even through death?  Can we believe He really knows?  Can we accept the love that says “No” when our heart is breaking and our world is being undermined?  Can we lay aside the clichés and admit we do not know but we must trust?  A good cliché sounds so much better than a gut wrenching cry.

 I recall a prayer I prayed, or rather yelled, in pain for my daughter.  I cried; I begged; I insisted.  I did feel that God was near, but the heavens might as well have been bronze.  In retrospect, I can see the beautiful, confident woman I know today was a result of that unanswered prayer.  My prayer had no knowledge though it was full of passion.  I am still praying for a resolution of that issue.  But I am confident that my God had this in his heart all along and at the right time in the right way, he will bring the right answer.  His ear was not deaf; His hand was not weak; His arm was not short.  But truth had to be truth.

 So, why does a young mother, having resolved the eternal questions, have to die when so many were praying for a different result?  I will offer no excuse.  I will use no cliché.  I will simply say “I don’t understand but I trust that He ‘took her with Him’ on His glorious plan.”  I will believe that He will work all things for her and her family’s good whether or not I see it.  I will show love when I have the chance and pray for grace if any words are needed.  When I cannot see, I must trust.  And when another need is evident, I shall pray with passion believing.