Several weeks ago a young man in our community died from brain injuries sustained in an accident. He was just a teen. While he was in the hospital, many on social media posted sentiments of he will be okay and God will heal him. (Most of us—myself included—have done that same thing.)
Instead God chose to take him home. What does that do for the faith of those left behind? Does it embitter them against God? Does it shake their faith to the core? Does it leave behind deep wounding?
Many times, because we want to do something for those who are facing illness or the possibility of losing a loved one, we say and pray the comforting words that God will bring healing. Tacking on with the crossed fingers of hope, If the Lord is willing, we tell the Lord, instead of asking Him, to give us the answers our hearts ache for. But wouldn’t it be better to pray with a heart that is attuned to His?
It seems that we are more double-minded than we realize. What a mess we are in.
What it boils down to is:
How Then Should We Pray?
- First, come before the Lord confessing our unbelief, asking Him to clean up our hearts. He tells us if we do that, He will.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” -1 John 1:9 (nkjv)
- Secondly, ask the Lord to draw us so close to Him—to be abiding so much in Him—that we are one with Him. That’s what Jesus prayed for us in John 17:21.
“…that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. -John 17:21 (nkjv)
- If that is indeed what’s already going on in our hearts, when we come before the Lord, seeking His will, the Holy Spirit will guide us into how we should pray. We can count on that.
That beautiful promise is found in the book of John 15:7-8. Jesus tells us:
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” (nkjv)
- Even more, when we don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit will pray for us with groans that are beyond words.
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” -Romans 8:26 (nkjv)
Related Post: Why Unanswered Prayer Can Be Such a Blessing
It’s time to walk in the faith that only Jesus can bring to fruition in our hearts. Help us, Lord, in diving into Your grace, to take refuge in You.
Dear Jesus, please help us to confess what’s really going on in our hearts. Please be more at home there. In faith, Lord, by Your Grace, we stand on Your promise that You will bring to completion the work You started in our hearts. Trusting in You and Your Word.
Thank You, Lord.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
Kimberly
