Two answers to prayer. Two perfect answers. The first came after many of us had prayed for a young adopted girl from Ethiopia. Before she was adopted, tests showed that she was HIV positive. After her adoption, however, subsequent tests revealed no signs of HIV. We rejoiced! The second answer came after a friend’s cancer returned. This week she entered hospice. Not the answer we wanted. The disease is poised to claim her life soon. We grieve. Yet she still rejoices in God and shows an unwavering faith. Both answers have brought glory to God.
The apostle John wrote a letter that included instructions for how to pray—how to seek answers from God. He taught, “We are confident that [God] hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him” (1 John 5:14). Believers in Jesus (1 John 5:13) have free access to God and His wisdom. But notice that the focus of our prayers should be His honor and glory, acknowledging that He hears us and will give us “what we ask for” (1 John 5:15). I’ve experienced this reality both with my friends’ adopted daughter and with my friend whose cancer returned. How?
Jesus said, “You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father” (John 14:13). When we pray in Jesus’ name, we’re praying in Jesus—seeking His desires and His wisdom. We’re praying to the Father because of the access given to us by the Son. We’re praying that whatever the outcome, it will honor Jesus and “bring glory to the Father” (John 14:13).
There is “great power” in prayer (James 5:16). God hears us, and He will respond. When He does, however, we must be ready to accept answers that aren’t necessarily what we want, but that bring Him glory.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 7:36–8:3
More:
Read Mark 14:36. What does this verse reveal about what our ultimate focus should be as we seek answers to prayer?
Next:
How have you responded to some recent answers from God? Why is it vital that we pray in Jesus’ name?
lindagma on July 7, 2011 at 6:50 am
In a world of microwaves and high-speed internet, it is hard to relinquish that (temporary) gratification of getting what we want…instantly.
It takes a conscientious shift to “not your will but mine” and having things turn out better and in a different way than anything we’d thought of, before we trust Him with our outcomes. Even when we do, we have to be reminded the next time. It takes a real focus on who He is and who I am.
Thanks Tom…good reminder.
tom felten on July 7, 2011 at 8:51 am
You nailed it, lindagma. As we approach God in prayer it’s about, as you said, “who God is and who I am.” Having just been released from the hospital for a bone marrow transplant (due to persistent cancer), I have been humbled and blessed by the prayers lifted up to God on my behalf. God has chosen to do an amazing work in my body, but if things had not gone positively from our human perspective, God would still be God and His ways would still be good. He is sovereign and we are not. We can say with Job, “The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21). What beautiful trust. What a great view of God!
daisymarygoldr on July 7, 2011 at 1:59 pm
Paul is a good example who shows us that, in whatever manner God answers our prayers it is solely for His glory. Whether it is in sickness or in healing, in everything—the ultimate purpose of a believer is to bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. And our sovereign God gets to decide what brings Him the most glory.
God receives glory in healing and sometimes He chooses to be glorified by not healing. Our faith demonstrated during sickness attracts others to Christ. Hence, God gives us sufficient grace that enables us to endure the thorn in our flesh because our afflictions bring Him greater glory. For—it pleases God to bring many sons and daughters to glory through our sufferings. This is the very reason why the Lord chose to let us- His body, to remain in this world.
Therefore, the premise of the promise in (John 14:13-14) is: Jesus will do anything I ask—not for my personal needs but for the needs of His Kingdom work. To ask anything in Jesus’ name is not a blank cheque for me to ask whatever I want. Praying in Jesus’ name is praying for whatever He wants to do in my life—in order for Jesus to glorify the Father.
Tom felten you are in my daily prayers…
tom felten on July 7, 2011 at 2:54 pm
daisymarygoldr, thanks so much for your prayers. I appreciate your lifting up of Paul as an example of someone who prayed with God’s glory in mind. In Philippians 4:6-7 he implores us to pray about everything and to do so with gratitude in our heart toward God. And he makes it clear that it’s not about getting what we want, but we can receive His perfect gift of peace.
Aganos on July 7, 2011 at 11:45 pm
What a timely and uplifting message. Today i go to see my sister who’s bound in alcoholism and that i’ve been praying for in the past 15 years. Its been a long and sometimes discouraging journey but i thank the sovereign God because he is able to set her free in the name of Jesus and thro the blood of His Son. Pray with me for her deliverance.
tom felten on July 9, 2011 at 9:37 am
Aganos, praying with you for your sister’s deliverance. May God set her free!
alli on July 9, 2011 at 8:01 am
So i’ve asked Him to take away my pain and struggle esp with my health, but honestly He’s answered many prayers keeping me this long without health insurance but there are times i feel ill and wish i didn’t but if not for the interruptions of my bodys aches and pains i would not seek HIm so even in that He has answered my prayers and knows what I need more than a perfect body is a relationship and closer walk with Him. Sometimes its yes sometimes its no, but the no always brings me to a better yes whether my flesh desires it or not. yes i will make you are stronger Christian and bring others to God through you NO you will not have it easy.
tom felten on July 9, 2011 at 9:41 am
Wow. Thank you so much for this powerful testimony, Alli. It’s amazing to read of your recognition that God is allowing your pain so that you will stay close to Him. This truth is something I have been and will be meditating on! May God give you some relief today.
GChoo on July 9, 2011 at 9:45 am
Yes, it is so true. When our prayers are answered as we asked for it is easy for us to believe God. However, we doubt the existence of God when the answer is otherwise. The best is yet to come when we continue to seek God’s Word and realised that whatever we did not desire happened is actually the best solution God has given us. Thanks Alli for sharing your experience with us.
My experience with God comes from my younger brother who passed away two and a half years ago due to chronic illness and stress from work and family problems. No matter how hard we try to help, it was never ending. My mum was very sad and was unable to understand why God had taken away her precious son. I can only pray to God for comfort and peace of mind for myself and my parents. Through consoling my mum and talking to her and praying for all, God had made me realised that this was the best solution to my brother’s uncountable problems. In fact, my deceased brother had given his life to Jesus a year ago before his death which he had told me about the great news although through a very unusual circumstance. God actually went to redeem him – how wonderful. I believed it was because of our (esp from my mum) unceasing prayers for our family members. My deceased brother did not have a good relationship with my parents. I must praise God because a week before my brother’s death, he called my mum and had a long reconciliation chat. Although my parents did not get to say their final goodbye to my brother at the hospital bed, but i know that God had enabled my brother to do it. Without God in it, i know it will not happen. And he had the chance to bid farewell to his wife and children before his last breath. We were able to have a christian funeral knowing that He had received his salvation through Jesus Christ. One scripture was very obvious to me during his funeral wake, that is Revelation 8:3-5. That night that was what happened, rain, lightning and thunder came. God had definitely heard our prayers and responded in His own time. God had been gracious to him and to us. We can only glorify God for His grace and mercy and most of all, He knows what is best for each and everyone of us.
My mum’s heartache had found peace knowing that her precious son is with God and doesn’t have to suffer anymore because God knows what is best for us. She continues to worship and trust in Him. As for myself, i can see more of God’s love and solution for us better in situations i have no control but continue to pray, trust and seek Him daily. God bless.
tom felten on July 9, 2011 at 10:02 am
GChoo, I’m so sorry for your loss, but blessed by the way God comforted you, your mum, and your whole family. I’m reminded of another Scripture in Revelation as I consider what you wrote: Revelation 21:3-4. Peace.