Paul prayed three times asking God to remove the “thorn in his flesh.” But God only responded by saying: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…” (2 Cor. 12:9). That may not have felt like
much of answer!
God answers many prayers like that: In a way we don’t quite expect.
An inscription found after the Civil War expresses one writer’s understanding of prayer: “I asked God for strength that I might achieve; instead I was made weak so that I would learn to humbly obey. I asked God for health that I might do great things; instead I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy, but I was given poverty that I might become wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men, but instead I was given weakness so that I might feel the desperate need for God. I asked for all things so that I could enjoy life. God gave me life so that I could enjoy all things. You know I got nothing I asked for but I received everything I hoped for. And almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered and now I am among all men most richly blessed.”
Should We Pray?
Absolutely! But we must allow God the power to override our prayers by letting Him answer them in His time & in His way. It’s much like the old public buses where the commuter pulls the overhead cord to signal the bus driver that he wants to get off at the next stop. Still the bus driver (being able to view a situation much better from the driver’s seat) may override a request and stop at a place that is less hazardous.
God is in the driver’s seat of our lives and has the power to override our prayers. Really, it’s for our own protection when He denies our request. We get to be grateful, since we often do not always pray for God’s best
Delay May Mean Battle
Daniel was a man who gained understanding of prayer when God warned him of the coming troubles in Jerusalem. Disturbed by the visions, Daniel prayed & fasted for 24 days desperately waiting for God’s answer. On the 24th day an angel appeared and said, “Daniel, don’t be afraid. God has heard your prayers ever since the first day you decided to humble yourself…I have come in answer to your prayer. [But] the angel prince (Satan) of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days …” (Dan. 10:12-13).
God heard his prayer & immediately dispatched an angel. However, because Satan opposed the angel, a spiritual
battle took place for what seemed to Daniel a delayed period of time. That same thing can happen with our prayers. And instead of giving up, we’re making invisible progress in victory.
Years ago I was confronted with the wisdom of God overriding my desires. At that time, other churches criticized New Hope for destroying churches in Hawaii and demanded that I leave. At first, I wanted to fight & defend myself.
Instead, God specifically told me to “die” to my desire to stand up for myself. Oh how I struggled with that!
Finally I was reminded how Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross so that the Church could live. So I surrendered
my will to His. In doing so, I learned to communicate better & work together with these churches and their leaders. Today many are some of my closest friends.
God knows what is best for our lives even if we disagree. So He gives us principles of prayer that help us allow God “power of authority” in our life. Stay faithful for: “…God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
