Last week we studied the Lord's Prayer. I hope as you prayed the prayer Our Lord taught us to pray that you heard all He has to say to you in that prayer. It's so much more than the prayer we collectively prayer during church.
Before I get down to asking for your prayer requests, I want to share something that just hit me right square between the eyes last week. On day 4 the workbook reading & reflecting focused on "Thy Will be Done". We learned that Jesus didn't teach us that God would give us anything and everything we ask for - that we live in a trusting relationship with God, presenting our requests but the summary of our prayer is "Thy will be done." Here's what hit me... "God did not give Jesus everything he asked." What? Why had this never occured to me before? God didn't give Jesus everything he asked?
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." ~ Matthew 26: 39
Jesus agoninzed over what was about to happen. So much so that his sweat was tinged with blood. "Let this cup pass" Lord, if it be possible deliver me from death. God's answer to that petition was "no". But notice... after Jesus prayed for the cup to pass from him, he also said that it be God's will, not his will be done. Isn't that amazing! I hope you take time to reflect this week on God's will and the beauty of it. It is my belief that God answers ALL prayer. It might not always be the answer (our will)we are seeking. His answer is His will be done. Sometimes those answers are painful. I asked for a child for many years. The answer was painful. The answer was no. But I do understand this... He is glorified in that "no" answer. His will is also that He is faithful to His Word !!! No matter the circumstance He will never leave us.
This week we are focusing more deeply on confession and petitions. I look forward to sharing with you next week what God teaches me!
Again, I desire to pray for you or for someone you know that needs prayer. You may leave your request by clicking the post comment link at the bottom of this post, or you can email me.
I had asked for prayers for my friend Paula last week. She and her husband are in the process of adopting twins from Ethiopia. Just to update you... their court date has been postponed until March 13th. I ask that you continue to lift them in prayer, especially on March 13th for a successful court date. If you have the opportunity, please drop by her blog and give her a word of encouragement.
Sarah ~ Nesting in Pleasant View brought her sweet baby girl home this week! Anna Claire came into this world a bit early, but is doing very well! That Anna Claire did so well, and came home so soon... that's a mountain moved in prayer my friends!
Love you friends!
10 comments:
What a blessed time you are having with this focus on prayer! Thank you for praying for my son. I am asking for a miracle, that he would be healed emotionally and mentally, but I also have come to realize that I need to pray for God's will to be done in his life. Donna
You brought up a good topic. One that at times I think is "controversial" or rather interpretted differently. No, He does not give us everything we want. However, He does tell us that if we believe we will receive whatever we ask for in prayer...we have the power to throw the mountains into the sea if we believe and not doubt (Matt. 21:21-22). I think it's assumed we are not going to get that million mansion or frivelous things. I once did research on this verse with the result being we typically receive those things that meet to conditions 1) it is good for us and 2) it will glorify God.
I do not believe, as I commented earlier today to a friend, that everything that happens is God's will. Especially when it involves other people. Losing jobs could be the disobedience of the employer, child dying could be because wreckless lifestyle, spouse leaving could be disobedient heart. Do you see what I'm saying. I have a book in which I hope to read soon so I can share the wealth with my bloggy friends. It is called the Will of God and it defines three wills of God: intentional, circumstantial, and ultimate. I've only read three or so pages of the very small 50 page book. But the author talks about how we generalize God's will without realizing there are many facets to it. One of which is our free will to disobey and thus veer our lives in a different direction that He desired or willed for us.
Didn't mean to sound preachy if I did. I'm just passionate about this fairly "new" revelation of how intricate and defined His will is or rather isn't.
Did you know Micca Campbell will be in Greenwood on the 20-21 of March? She's with Proverbs 31.
Love,
Paula
Paula, Maybe I wasn't clear enough and you misinterpreted what I was trying to say.
Perhaps I need to clarify for my bloggy friends. Please know that I know that not everything that happens in this world is God's will. If it's not good, it's not from God. But I do know that He allows certain things (good & bad) to happen because He knows that in all things He works for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)
I certainly do not believe that His will was that I remain childless. I prayed many times for a child, and I do not believe my lack of faith or belief in Him or what He could do in my life left me childless. Quite the contrary. He said no. And I am so blessed that as time has passed that I understand why the answer was no.
I was only touching on one point of the study. We had many days of other commentary. What I learned was that yes... sometimes God does say no.
Please know I am not generalizing God's will. My point was we petition God and then in faith say.. but Your will not mine be done. Jesus didn't teach us that God would give us anything and everything we asked. However, Jesus does want us to bodly go to Him in prayer and ask, seek, knock... nothing will be impossible. When there are other people involved you do have the will of a human heart that isn't always in step with what His will is for our lives.
His will for me in my struggle with infertility was that through that trial and circumstance He be glorifed.
Again, I was touching on one point in the study that struck me. One verse of scripture. Sometimes God's answer is no.
God Bless!
K
Kristen,
Thank you for your thoughts on God's will, and yes, it has opened my eyes to thinking about what that means. I look forward to every entry you make and you make a difference in my life by posting your thoughts. Thank you my friend! {hugs} I would like to be included in your prayers again this week....please pray for me to feel better, this week I am feeling very weak, and that always worries me. Please pray for me to lean on Him and find strength through him. You are in my prayers. love, Joanie
Hi Kristen-Thank you for this post today. It really has me thinking.
I would like to ask for prayers for my two daughters as they travel from the US to the UK this Friday evening/Saturday. They both attend university in SC and will be coming home for a week for their Spring Break.
I know that this may not seem like a huge thing but I always feel anxiety until they are safely in the place they need to be. They take a small plane from SC to Philadelphia where they have a few hours in the airport to wait for their second flight to London. My daughter's boyfriend is also coming along this trip so I'd like to include him as well (Peter) They leave SC Friday at 5:15 and arrive in London on Saturday at 10 am in the morning. Thank you for praying. I know God cares about every detail of our lives and no request is too small.
Blessings to you today...Joyce
Choosing to believe today that His will is pure, right, beautiful and ultimately in HIs hands and He reveals to us and He sees timely to do so. Praying hard that I live in the peace of His will and not mine! May you know that your prayerful heart and devotion to lifting all up to God is VERY encouraging to me. thank you Kristen!
Excellent post. Understanding "God's Will be Done" -- This is a truth that I've been learning over the last few years. (I'm a slow learner!) God DOES answer every prayer. I absolutely believe that!
As for prayer requests - we are going through a difficult season with one of our kids - God knows the details. Please pray for us as we seek to be wise and compassionate parents. THANK YOU, Kristen!
Blessings to you,
Carolyn
So great to "hear" your voice last night! You are a delight and joy. God's blessing to you and Jim this weekend.
peace~elaine
Thank you for the update on your freinds in Ethiopia! Bless their hearts! It is hard to wait, but it strengthens our faith so much.
Hugs,
Susan
I am catching up on my reading while my sweet baby sleeps and so glad that your blog was the first I am catching up with!
"Thy Will Be Done" what beautiful words for me to hear, to know and to experience after the the past couple of years and especially after the past month (Anna Claire will be 1 month tomorrow!!!)
Thank you for your prayers, she is the evidence of God's pure and holy love in our lives!
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