Have you ever been asked why you pray?
A very close friend of mine who is not yet walking with Jesus, asked me the other day if I ever pray. From his current world view, he really doesn’t like that Christians pray selfishly for whatever they want as if God is some kind of cosmic genie who will grant their every wish.
I absolutely believe that God still works through miracles and physical healing today! I had a wonderful opportunity to share with my dear friend that hopefully got him thinking about the genie in the bottle concept that he’s so upset about, and why Biblical prayer should never be like that.
God answered the Apostle Paul’s plea for a very specific ailment that he was suffering from, with the following reply in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Paul also said in 2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances]. The Lord be with you all.”
Don’t ever stop praying! Whatever you may be going through our dealing with, know that the creator of the universe cares about every aspect and every single detail of your request … and most importantly remember that He knows exactly what’s best for you!
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”
Even though Paul would have preferred at the time to be healed from whatever physical ailment he was suffering from … based on his response (which is a good reminder for all of us), he was able to experience peace because the Lord was with him throughout it all!