I was blessed today to learn something from a book written by a man of God over four hundred years ago about prayer, and it not only answered a prayer, but taught me much about how our prayers are received and answered by our Father in heaven.
For five years now I have been praying about a certain physical ailment that if I want it alleviated, it will require surgery. I have questioned, been frustrated, and in as humble a way as possible, which is saying much about a man such as myself, even demanded an answer from the Lord to heal this, and why He has not. I received my answer today from the words of that book five minutes before I left the house to meet the surgeon.
But before I reveal that answer to you, you must know this as well.
Five years ago, I also started praying earnestly for wisdom, understanding only later the truth of Ecclesiastes 1:18, “For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.”
I prayed fervently for Spiritual discernment at the same time, with the knowledge of Colossians 1:9. “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;”
I began to pray, and still do on a regular basis, to be able to discern between good and evil, as Solomon did in 1st Kings 3:9. “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?”
But above all, I pray for truth, because I firmly believe John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Two main prayers that my life has been focused upon over those last five years, one for eternal knowledge useful in this life and I believe, solely for the glory of God, the other for what could best be described as temporal, almost selfish reasons. Both have helped me to understand the truth of 2nd Corinthians 12:9.
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
For all that He sees fit to bless me with, both in the answered prayers and the unanswered have assisted me in growing in His grace and knowledge, and, at least partially for this stubborn old man, understanding and accepting these words. “Thy will be done.”
This does not mean that I like the fact that He decided not to miraculously heal my flesh, I still wish He would, but that is His choice.
The words I read are as follows, paraphrased towards my own situation, but nevertheless still truth. “The Lord may decide not to heal your physical infirmity, but He may bless you with wisdom instead.” I would accept ten times the pain if it meant even more wisdom, I would continue to suffer if it meant more Spiritual discernment, more truth from Him.
I lift up John the Baptist to you, while in no way denigrating those who sought for healing while our Savior walked this earth. He did not ask to be released from Herod’s dungeon, he simply wanted to know.
“And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” (Matt. 11:3)
The answer he received allowed him to die in peace and complete confidence. I will do the same, and if you have truly been born again, you also will take your last breath here not looking back, but forward, in complete confidence and assurance.
Five years of praying answered five minutes before I left.
I offer you the words from that book verbatim, and hope you see the truth of them in whatever situation you are facing. “The Lord may not decide to heal your sickness, but He may bless you with patience.”
Now, my friends understand this truth.
“In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19)
