My friend’s baby suffered brain damage during delivery. The doctors aren’t too optimistic. They think that even if the child survives, she won’t lead a normal life.
Ever since I received this news, my mind has been searching for the words to pray. But I don’t know how to pray or what to pray right now. All I know is the One to whom I should pray—God. He’s the Sovereign One, and He says that He hears me when I call (Luke 11:9-10).
I’m reminded that God is capable of miracles. He raised Jairus’ daughter back to life! Everyone was absolutely sure that the girl was beyond cure. But “Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, ‘My child, get up!’ And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up!” (Luke 8:49-55). Jesus didn’t just chase away death; He also healed the girl of whatever disease had robbed her of life.
But what if God doesn’t heal? Surely it’s not that He lacks the power. Could it be that He’s not all-loving? Perhaps that He doesn’t care? Can’t be! For as I look at the cross, I’m confident that God is love (1 John 4:9-10). So that leaves us with one last possibility—He doesn’t know what’s best. But Job was challenged to look at creation to know that this is not true (Job 38:1-39–Job 39:30). God is good, and He does know what’s best.
So I’ll simply lean on His power, love, and wisdom as I pray. I may not know what’s the best thing to pray, but the Psalms reveal that I can approach God in absolute honesty. That’s what I’ll bring. And I’ll remember what Oswald Chambers wrote, “I do believe that by intercessory prayer, as Jesus Himself has told us, the great power of God works in ways that we cannot conceive.”
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 21:37–22:29
More:
Read Psalm 4 to see how the psalmist expressed his confidence in God and His fatherly care even during trying times.
Next:
What attributes of God do you need to remember as you pray for help and healing? How does His sovereignty give you perspective as you pray?
Wayne on November 11, 2013 at 5:42 am
Be honest w/God let him know what you feel and pray and believe. Leave it with God, don’t pick it up again my grandmother would say ! God knows best.
Wayne
alli on November 11, 2013 at 9:00 am
Sometimes i question does God care but to question is an indication of doubt…in terms of healing does God care that we live a ‘normal life’ when you are an outcast its easy to wonder does God care about making you normal healthy individual growing up just like your friends but sometimes God doesnt heal, or at least on earth, you may struggle with deformity or sickness can God doesnt take it away, i have to look at my circumstances thru the cross, sometimes ‘good’means truimph in tradegy or justice being fulfilled, or overcoming when you rather it b easy. Even in death and sorrow God is still good.
tom felten on November 11, 2013 at 9:26 am
Good thoughts, Poh Fang, Wayne, alli. As I consider the hard times in life, I’m reminded of what Paul wrote in Romans 8:26: “The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” Yes, the Holy Spirit helps us communicate with God when we’re not sure what to pray for or are having difficulty expressing the depth of what’s on our heart.
ruth o'reilly-smith on November 11, 2013 at 2:28 pm
Poh Fang, I pray for your friends and their child and for you – for peace in the midst of an awful circumstance and for the perspective of the God whose ways are not our ways and thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). Dear friends of mine lost their little boy, Raphael after only a few short weeks and in their sorrow they learnt that all that really matters is that we know that Jesus is with us in the difficult moments of life (Matthew 28:20). They no longer prayer for perfect conditions or circumstances, they just pray they’ll always know the presence of Jesus with them – that’s my prayer for you and your friends.
cassml on November 11, 2013 at 7:24 pm
To me, that’s what TRUST is all about – believe that God is in control and let go. Not easy but God promise to give us strength for the journey.
samtitilope on November 12, 2013 at 3:46 am
Pray like these:
Oh Lord my Father, by the power and authority in your word which says ask and it shall be given, I ask today, stretch forth Your Mighty Hands of Healing, and heal this sinless girl completely, that the world may know that You are still in the business of healing and deliverance; in the mighty name of Jesus. Let everybody that read this also pray the prayer points, and surely, there shall be testimony in Jesus name. Amen