WHEN WE
DON’T WANT TO PRAY When a family hurt
drags on for weeks, months, and even years, it is hard to keep on praying as
instructed in Ephesians 6:18: With all
prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be
on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.
Dan’s
wife, our Nancy, ran out of patience several times. “Mom, I just prayed, ‘Do something God.’”
When the
pressure got too great, Dan even admitted getting angry with God a couple of
times, praying much as the psalmist often prayed. “God, You can do something. Why don’t YOU? Why are You so silent—so long?”
I
remember one day sagging under the ongoing load of so much praying, and
complaining, “Lord, I’m sick and tired of praying these prayers!” And I was.
That kind of prayer is hard work.
And I was tired. But those
attitudes were sin—and we knew it. Being able to confess them melted those
fleeting negative feelings, and we settled into the regular prayer routine
again.
I am right smack in the middle of this same road. I have been praying so long for several
different things and it is wearing me out.
I was wondering, “How long Lord?”
Then I went to my Bible study this morning. We are studying the book of Philippians. Our
wonderful teacher Suzi, shared with us how Paul was talking about having joy in
his life and he was in prison. Oh my
gosh, how can I ever complain about anything I might be going through.
And we know that in all things God works for the
good to those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Whatever I am going through will work together for our good.
What a precious promise, I need to just
trust God, believe and don’t give up praying.
In his timing, it will work out for our good. Dear God,
Forgive me for complaining that I have been praying so long about something, without any answers. I know the Bible verse that says, “All things
work together for good?” I forget
about this when someone I love is hurting. Please
help me not give up, but to keep praying. Thank you God for what you are
going to do.
Quote from the book What Happens When We Pray For
Our Families. Evelyn, page 69When your family members hurt—pray in faith. It works!
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