A few thoughts on prayer and the will of God

        Recently I’ve had several conversations about knowing the will of God. The individuals involved—true Christians—were looking for signs and not really looking for God’s guidelines for choosing “the best”. Later I was amused to read a quotation about Andrew Bonar, about a man looking for signs: “When a man told Bonar he had felt an angel touch him during an illness, Bonar said, “Have you a cat in the house? Don’t you think it may have been the cat?”

        As far as what we should pray for, there are things God has told us—pray for the peace of Jerusalem, pray for kings and rulers, pray for the salvation of friends and neighbours (and even enemies). We can pray about specifics like a job or a home or a spouse or health. Paul prayed to have his “thorn in the flesh” removed.

        But we can’t make unconditional claims on God or it becomes what I call the eleventh commandment—“You shall not put the Lord your God to the test!” (Deut.6:16) There is a “Christian” book on the market right now that I feel breaks this commandment: The Circle Maker. The blurb says, “When his land was in the grip of a drought in ancient times, Honi Ha’Magel drew a circle in the sand, stepped inside it, and declared that he wouldn’t budge until God sent rain.” It’s less daring than “throwing himself down from the pinnacle of the temple” but it is equally “putting God to the test.” (Mat.4:5-7)

        I’m sure God did send rain eventually but the Scripture quotation that may apply is, God “gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” (Psa.106:15) Something I greatly fear. Even Jesus said, “Not my will but Thine.” We can’t demand things of God or boss Him around. Would we do that to a friend? Would we do that to Jesus? The thought is absurd!     

        Scripture says that the Israelites prayed, but then “didn’t wait for God’s plan to unfold.” (Psa.106:13)  We have to be patient. Here is a suggestion: The next time a difficulty comes up in your life, start journaling it. Record the date and the problem; as events take place, record their dates and details. Follow through until you can say without a doubt, “This is how God’s plan unfolded for me.” Watching God in action, so-to-speak, I’m sure you will be blessed, however it unfolds!   Ì