Last time, I told you about the power of prayer and of boldly approaching God and the potential fruit that can come from that, including in this case the healing of a teenage girl.
Don’t lose faith, however, if despite fervent prayer, that you remain sick, or broke, or…out of the money in your sports betting.
Nora and I had an email exchange the other day after she came in dead last in her office NFL pool (cost: $2) two weeks in a row.
Nora: Just got the Week 11 list…is this a praying matter?
Me: I think you take everything to God in prayer. It’s probably not very realistic, however, to imagine him giving you the correct picks, so you can win your little office gambling pool.
Nora: hmmm, sounds like you’re doubting his power.
Me: There is power, power, wonder-working power, in the precious blood of the lamb…🎵 (I’m easily distracted when something triggers a song memory.)
Nora was joking, I think, but she raises a good point. Can’t God do whatever he wants?
Yes, but it is implied that we ask for things which are consistent for God to give – things which he has promised to give, and which would be best for us, and for his glory. According to 1 John 5:14, “…if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
A parent will not always give the exact thing which a child asks, but will give what he thinks will be most beneficial.
The Apostle Paul asked that an undisclosed “thorn from his flesh” be removed. God’s response is found in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9:
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Sometimes a No is really a Yes, if we listen intently enough for it.