Recently, my wife and I (and the teams that we do ministry with) prayed with a young lady regarding her sister (we’ll call them Ruth and Sarah). Ruth’s sister, Sarah, was about to make a life-altering decision (one that would have lasting physical and emotional consequences). Ruth called us not knowing what to do or how to convince Sarah to not go through with this. We prayed with Ruth. We asked if we could talk to Sarah, but she didn’t think that it would be a good idea. So we called on our teams to begin to pray. And we all prayed – for 2 days.
– We prayed for God to speak to Sarah about her decision. We prayed that Ruth would have influence in her sister’s life to talk her out of it.
– We prayed that Sarah and Ruth would be filled with the Holy Spirit and that Sarah would make the right decision.
– We prayed for the Lord’s will regarding this situation (knowing that God would not agree with her decision.)
– We prayed Scripture over this situation and that God would intervene for His glory.
– We prayed blessings over Sarah, Ruth, and all those who would be involved.
– We even prayed for a bus to break down so that these yound ladies couldn’t make it to their destination.
Image credit: designpics / 123RF Stock Photo
Sarah went ahead with her decision. My wife and I were heart broken. As was Ruth, the sister. She (Ruth) also struggled with her faith and with forgiveness (mostly God’s forgiveness towards her for orginally supporting her sister’s decision.) Why would God not answer this prayer for His glory right then and there? Wouldn’t God be glorified by intervening and preventing this decision to be made? (At least that’s what I thought and how I prayed.) We were sure we were praying in God’s will.
Each person must decide to respond to or reject the Spirit’s working in their life.
As much as we would like to choose good (and God) for some people, not everyone will respond favorably to the promptings of the Spirit. Our job as Christians is not to be their Savior, but to point them to the only one who can save. We also must remember what Jesus said, ““Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” (Luke 10:16, NIV)
We Don’t know the ultimate outcome of the situation
God is still God, even though the outcome of this particular situation was not how we had been praying. As we were grieving, the words of one of Delirious’s songs came to mind
It’s a modern day genocide and a modern day disgrace
If this is a human right then why aren’t we free?
The only freedom we have is in a man nailed to a tree.100 million faces, staring at the sky,
Wondering if this HIV will ever pass us by.
The devil stole the rain and hope trickles down the plug,
But still my Chinese take away could pay for someone’s drugs.
Forever your kingdom reigns.
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/d/delirious/our_god_reigns.html ]
God still reigns even when God seems silent. Who know what will happen with this young lady in the future. Meanwhile, our job is to continue to support both young ladies and show them the love and mercy of Jesus.
God still deserves our praise
Just because God seems silent or does not answer us in the way we expect, He is still worthy of all of our praise. It doesn’t mean we can’t grieve for someone. It doesn’t mean that we will understand everything that God does. God asks us to obey Him always, not understand Him in everything. There will be things we face that we can never understand. Our response to God is a trusting worship, one that is anchored in hope.
– Hope that God will ultimately use this situation for His glory.
– Thankfulness that one heart did turn towards God.
– Praise that God forgives, and that if this young lady decides to choose forgiveness, He will be waiting with open arms.
When God seems silent, choose hope. Choose to believe. Choose to worship Him. After all, He first chose us:
For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you… (1 Thessalonians 1:4)
