Friday, January 14, 2011

1/14/11–A Prayer For God’s Will To Be Done

praying hands 1Jesus’s prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane has been on my mind for the last couple of weeks. It really started when our community suffered a tragedy when a furniture store in Wayne exploded from an apparent natural-gas leak. It happened on a Wednesday morning, and as of church service that evening, they were still looking for two people. The prognosis was not good, so the thought arose, “Should we pray for a miracle and that they would be both found alive?

My concern with these types of prayers is that often well-meaning Christian will say to those who are in a trial and facing great odds, “Well, I prayed about it and KNOW that God will answer our prayer, etc.” The problem with this is that we don’t know how God will choose to answer. The prophet Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

So then, when faced with these types of situations, how should we pray. As I discussed this with our church during prayer meeting, the Lord Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane came to mind. We know that Jesus was the God-man. As Dr. Raymond Barber used to tell us in Bible College, “Jesus was just as much God as though He never was man. Yet, just as much man as though He never was God. He was the God-man.” Jesus was coming to the time of His crucifixion, and knowing what was before Him rayed these faithful words in Luke 22:42,  “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Jesus recognized the enormity of the task at hand, and knew the pain and agony that He must go through in taking upon Himself the entire wrath of God for the sins of man. So, even though He knew in His flesh what He must go through, He prayed for the Father’s will to be done.

Now, how should that affect our prayers today? Well, in the face of great odds I believe it is not only right, but Scriptural to pray for God to do a miracle. But, we must always lay beside our desire and submit to the Father’s will for that particular situation. So, on that night, we prayed that if it would be the Father’s will, that those two people would be found alive. But whatever the answer was, we would glorify our Heavenly Father. So, when faced with impossible situations, we should pray and ask our hearts desire, but all the time realizing that the Father’s Plan will come to pass and we will glorify Him in all that He does.

Heavenly Father, we come before you today thanking you that you are a loving Father who hears our prayers and petitions. We may not always understand and know why we go through the trials and tribulations that we do, but we know you never leave us nor forsake us in these times of difficulty. Help is Lord to always submit ourselves to your will, so that you may be honored and glorified in every aspect of our lives no matter how you chose to answer our prayers. We are so thankful to know that even when we may not understand, we know that in your time you make all things work together for good when we love you and follow your purpose for our lives. Give us the strength to continue on when we don’t understand why, and draw us closer to you by your Grace. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.

6 comments:

  1. Bro. Brad. When I was faced with not knowing whether my kidney cancer had spread, I prayed and prayed for healing. Then I came to a point where I knew that that was not what God would have me do. I finally realized that it was right for me to pray just like Jesus did in the garden. I asked for healing but I always ended my prayer by saying, not my will, LORD, but yours be done. It was extreemly difficult to pray that and really mean it but finally through God's grace, I was able. It was a wonderful lesson that I needed to learn.

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  2. The loss of a missionary this week brings home that we must not take for granted that our prayers will be answered with "Yes," no matter how strong we feel it should be. Our Lord is omnipotent and omniscient. What He has in store (though we do not understand) is designed for the whole, not just our tiny part. Building the faith to truly believe: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 KJV)

    We are also told: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:11 KJV)

    We're to build our faith on bedrock: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4b.

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  3. Thanks for sharing your story, Mrs. Judy. I did write this post somewhat hesitantly because I know many folks like yourself have been through tougher trials than I ever had and could write the post much better than I could. All I have is Scripture to go on, but folks like yourself have lived it and practiced it. God bless you for your faithfulness and encouragement.

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  4. Hi Brad -

    I wholly agree that it must be GOD'S will that we seek more than anything else. He is sovereign and does whatsoever He pleases.

    Thank you for this potent message of truth.

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  5. One of the great complexities of God is that He is a God of control, yet allows us the free-will choice to chose Him and His way. I believe this prayer of Jesus is another wonderful example of such.

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  6. Hi Brad -

    Yuo may be inclined to read the post that I posted today, Monday January 17, 2011, on my blog, LIONS SHARE MAJESTY at www.lioneaglesoar.blogspot.com

    The topic is "GOD'S ADVENTURE FOR ME IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA...WITH A RESPONSE FROM RICK."

    Thank you, Brad, for your consideration.

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