So.. our youth group discussion on pain made me think (Thanks Justin!). When we are going through something horrible.. a parent being sick, the death of a close friend, personal relationship problems, illness, spiritual dryness.. whatever.. How do we want people to pray for us?
I would venture that we would like people to pray that God would only provide relief from the pain when we have learned what He wants us to learn regardless of how long that takes.
Do you disagree? Do you agree? Do you hate my blog? Do you like frogs?
seriously.. what prayers do we really want?
and if that is what we want.. how are we praying for those around us?
Dahlia: My Cello Performance
10 years ago
5 comments:
Pray that your heart is soft and receptive to God's teaching. Pray that your focus is unwaveringly fixed on Christ and His sufferings. Pray for humility that you do not become arrogant enough to harbour bitterness towards God if He choses not to relieve your pain. But also pray: "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Didn't Paul have a "thorn in the flesh" that he desired relief from? How many times did he ask for relief? What it comes down to is: is God's grace sufficient for me? will i continue on doing the will of God even if his grace means i am never rid of my pain?
Defintely pray for relief, but never think that it is somehow owed to you. And please pray for relief for my pain too.
Good Topic.
dusty
Hey! Who deleted?
Probably your mother!
Basically.. in case you were wondering.. I think that we too often pray for what would make us happy or comfortable in the short term.. RATHER than praying for what we want long term.. wisdom, patience, etc. Things that come through the testing process. Short term praying may be more comfortable or simple here but I don't think it is what glorifies God most.. that should be our ultimate goal.
Thanks for your comments guys!
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