Praying God’s Will in All Circumstances

Posted by maryanthonynolan on Jun 2, 2010 in Daily Bread | 6 comments

I remember clearly driving in the car when my son was only three years old when he asked me what a tow truck was. I tried to explain to him what one looked like and what it was used for. Finally, I told him to just pray and ask God to show him. My precious three year old, with child-like faith instantly prayed and asked God to PLEASE show him a tow truck, in Jesus name. Within minutes we passed one…then another! There was many times like that where God answered the prayers of his little heart.

If God answers those small seemingly insignificant prayers, then does He hear the big ones? Of course He does. Does He always answer them? Yes, but maybe not how we think He should.

I’ve experienced great loss in my life. It stinks, really. I wish that God had chosen to work out His plan in a different way but I have to trust that He is in control. He sees the BIG picture, when all I see is my small little world and how everything in it affects me and those I love. That sounds pretty selfish, but unfortunately, it is true. If only I had the faith of David to pray for His will no matter how it affects or has affected me. If only I could pray that He would use me and my circumstances to draw others to Him. The truth is, I’m afraid to pray that prayer most days. I’m afraid that it might take tragedy in order to bring my lost friends and family into a saving relationship with Him. This past Sunday, Alan used some great visual tools to explain our emotions when we are experiencing difficult circumstances: FEAR, HOPE and REST. I often sit in the chair of FEAR. As a matter of fact, I stay there for a good while. And when it comes to praying for God’s will in my life, whatever that looks like, I usually don’t for fear of the unknown. How can I move from FEAR to HOPE, HOPE to REST?

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 it says to be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Alan also used a great quote — "God has a purpose leading you into a storm, power to preserve you through the storm, and a plan to lead you out of the storm." That is where we need to trust that He has a plan, He is in control and His plan will be carried out no matter how much we fret or how we pray for it.

I know God hears ALL of our prayers….big, small, ones motivated by fear and even the ones that we pray according to His will. I know that He will answer them in His own way. I pray that I can trust that He will bring me to a place of HOPE and REST along the way….while still carrying out His will.