at a crossroads with prayer

[babyfotog]

Hi.  I'm at kind of a crossroads (or maybe a bump in the road) with prayer.  First of all, I'd like to ask for prayer with this, and secondly, maybe someone here can provide something that helps?

I'm a fairly new believer, but not that new.  I almost feel guilty for hitting this bump.  But I have learned along the way the power of prayer.  It's been shown to me time and time again.  The problem is, I've started really struggling with WHAT to pray for.  I used to just pray for things to be the way I wanted them to be.  My sister has cancer and I pray for her to become cancer-free.  I pray for her to learn whatever it is that God wants her to learn in the process, but I still pray for him to take the cancer away too.  Well, I think it's with my sister's cancer that I've started to really struggle with what I pray for.  Getting what you pray for with all your heart doesn't necessarily mean you get whatever you want, right?  Does it mean that you start wanting what God wants and you pray for that? 

Does anyone have anything to say on this that could help me out?  Or bible readings you could point me to that would be helpful?  Or books?

Most of all, I could use your prayers on it...that my prayer life won't be so confusing.

[Jane Walker]

  Does it mean that you start wanting what God wants and you pray for that? 

This is exactly what it means, my friend.  Jesus gave an example in Matthew 6: 9 - 15 when he said to pray "Thy will be done."  And, again when He was in the Garden He prayed "Not my will but Thine be done."  We can present our petitions and concerns to the Father and know that he understands our hearts.  (And He really does!) But in the long run...after we've prayed our hearts out, we need to say with Jesus "Nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done." 

We can trust God to do what is best for everyone.  Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that He knows the thoughts He has toward us ... thoughts of peace, not of evil, to give us an expected end.  He has always had a destiny in mind for each one of us --- before the foundation of the world --- so when we surrender and allow His perfect will to be worked out in us, all things will be for His glory.  If there are lessons to be learned, they will be learned.  God will lead us the easiest way we will go.  Sometimes we are pretty stubborn and it takes a while to get our will to bend to His.

I am praying for you. 

[Marilyn]

Well said Jane I am in agreement with you. I am praying along with Jane for you.

When we pray for a healing for someone it is best to remember that the healing may not take place here on this earth, but in heaven. If it is your sister's time to go home then so be it, she will be cancer free there, where there is no sorrow and no pain.

[babyfotog]

Thanks Jane and Marilyn.  I'm so appreciative for the prayers and I know He'll work this out in me...I know that even this struggle is for some purpose...

[Al Moak]

The problem is, I've started really struggling with WHAT to pray for.  I used to just pray for things to be the way I wanted them to be.  My sister has cancer and I pray for her to become cancer-free.  I pray for her to learn whatever it is that God wants her to learn in the process, but I still pray for him to take the cancer away too.  Well, I think it's with my sister's cancer that I've started to really struggle with what I pray for.  Getting what you pray for with all your heart doesn't necessarily mean you get whatever you want, right?  Does it mean that you start wanting what God wants and you pray for that? 

It's obviousd to me that you're a dear sister - you speak the language of the kingdom!  So, sister, here's what I've learned.  When a child comes to his father with a request, what happens?  Does the father automatically grant the request, and is he moved to grant it because of all the child's emotional pleading?  No, if the father loves his child, he carefully considers the request - and all his child's circumstances, personality, needs, and previous learning.  Then, with everything in mind, he either grants the request, modifies it, denies it, or explains to his dear child the things that need to be learned.  In other words, he LOVES him.  He gives him what he most needs, and he takes special occasion by the request to teach, to love, to correct, and/or to bring joy to this one so dear to him. 

So is our heavenly Father, except that He loves us far more and with far greater wisdom than any earthly father.  Our response?  Shouldn't we, knowing how He loves us, tell Him how good He is and ask Him to teach us all we need to learn?  And, knowing that love even more, shouldn't we also thank Him in advance for dealing so graciously with us?

If we're praying for a loved one who is in grave danger or grievous pain, then we pray for relief and healing, yes, but we also pray for His gentle and thorough work of grace in our loved one's heart and life.  Than we thank Him for what He is going to do.  We confess our sins and even the wrongful reasoning with which we've often approached Him.  We search the Scripture (His Word) for instances of His love we can share with the loved one.  And then we pray and pray again to remain before Him, looking up into His face, to see His smile upon us.

[Marilyn]

WOW Al, what a great message in your words. Thank you we can all benifit from your teaching.

Two teachers have spoken now both equally well said. Pray about it brother, pray for understanding and illumination.

[Jane Walker]

I clicked on one of the Google ads and found a neat article (and website) about prayer.  You might find your answers here:

http://www.everystudent.com/wires/prayers.html?GCID=S15542x002-Prayers&KEYWORD=prayer

[babyfotog]

Oh, thanks all of you!  And Jane, thank you for the link...I'll go look at that article.

I haven't had a photo taken of me for a long time, or I'd put it up as my avatar.  Time for a self-portrait...when I get a chance!  I think it's time because I'm being mistaken for a man! 

[Jane Walker]

Not by me!  Somehow I always knew you were a sister in the Lord.  Blessings on you, my friend.

[Joy]

Wow - thank  you  all for your wonderful teaching on prayer --- and thank you for asking.........I have been blessed here......and will pray for your continued growth in the Lord and for strength during this illness of your sis    I've been there   its tough - but God is gracious