How Do You Pray in the Pain?

2 Samuel 12:13-20 (Click on reference to read text)

Sorry for the long absence.  My family received extremely difficult news at the beginning of this month.  My precious Dad-in-law was diagnosed with cancer in his bone marrow.  One night while praying my husband turned to me and confessed he didn't know how to pray.  We would obviously love to see our Dad healed, but what if it is not God's will?  How do you pray for a miracle and still pray according to the Lord's will?  Maybe you have had this same thought.  After much prayer and seeking Scriptures, I feel confident the Lord has given me a Biblical answer.

When David's son was dying, David fasted and prayed for a miracle.  He didn't eat, he didn't sleep.  For seven days David laid face down begging the Lord to heal his child.  Yet when the child died, he got up, worshiped the Lord and ate.  He prayed for God to heal his child, but he accepted what God allowed.

I also read about Paul.  Paul prayed 3 times for the "tormenting thorn in his flesh" to leave, yet he accepted God's grace to persevere when God did not remove it (2 Cor 12:7-10).   He was not afraid to ask God for relief, but His faith was not shaken when God answered no.

The Disciplers Bible Study Commentary for the book of Acts states, " They...were putting God to the test.  They were questioning God after His will had been revealed." 

I truly believe it is Biblical to ask the Lord for healing, restoration, or whatever is needed in the lives of your family or yourself.  After all, God is our Heavenly Father and desires to hear our hearts cry.  However, we must not put God to the test by questioning God after He reveals His will by either answering or denying our request.  We must choose to follow David's lead, offer a sacrifice of praise in the midst of our pain.  Praising God in the pain is not easy, but it is necessary in keeping our hearts stayed on Him (Heb 13:15).

I urge you... pray!  Pour your heart out to your Heavenly Father.  Ask to see the mighty movements of His hand.  Expect to see His power displayed.  However, resolve now to believe that God is good no matter His answer.  Turn to Him whether the outcome is wonderful or painful, and know that in the tears, you are not alone!

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Ps 34:18

Are You Home for Christmas?

Psalm 90

I was listening to Christmas music on the radio, baking way too many Christmas goodies, and the song "I'll be Home for Christmas" came on.  My heart instantly dipped as a tear slipped down my cheek.   Two years ago, on Christmas Eve night, I received the call no one wants to get.  My hero Daddy had passed away.  "Home" is different than it used to be and I can't help but feel the pain.  My blessings overflow, little feet and lots of laughter fill my home, yet part of me is empty.  Maybe "home" is different for you too.  You may be across the world serving our Lord while family is in the States, maybe divorce has ripped your happy memories apart, or maybe dreams are unfulfilled and unrealized for one more year.  However, in the midst of our pain, our Lord has a sweet word to mend our broken hearts.

Psalm 90 was written by Moses.  A man who spent a total of 80 years in the dessert, a nomad for our Lord.  His life was probably not like he pictured, yet he was obeying God's call on his life.  Even though he was in essence homeless, he writes, "Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.  Before the mountains were born or you gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting you are God." 

The Lord was Moses's home.  You know what?  He is my home too.  He in all His fullness invites you to come home!  The word "home" may look and feel different.  We can either dwell on feelings or in the fact that our Lord is our dwelling place.  Although it was Christmas time when I lost my loved one, it is because of Christmas, Jesus coming to earth in the form of a baby and dying as a sacrifice for my sins, that I can see my loved one again.  Christmas is not a time for sorrow, even in death, it is a time of great rejoicing.  Christmas is not a time of loneliness, because of Christmas, we received a companion that will never leave... Emmanuel!

This Christmas, come home to your Savior.  Rest in His dwelling place.  Feel the fullness of His presence.  Breathe in His unquenching joy and peace.  He is waiting with arms open wide to welcome you home.