I’ve always been a believer in the power of prayer. That God could do anything, if we just asked. I still believe this to be true. I’ve been doing a personal study on a book entitled, “When God Doesn’t Fix It”. This study, along with some life experiences have challenged some of my thinking.

Many times, I have asked God for solutions and He has answered those prayers in positive ways that I would never have expected. What happens though, when things we ask for don’t turn out as we had hoped?

We can passively say, “It wasn’t within His will”. There is truth in statement, we feel… UNTIL..

The diagnosis-a sickness that causes you to not even remember what healthy looked like- a broken relationship-a loved ones ongoing addiction-loss of someone dear- job loss-the list goes on. At these times, passively stating, “Well, it’s God’s will just doesn’t cut it, even though this is ultimately true.

In prayer, as well with every other area of our lives, it seems to be a struggle with self vs submission. I’m learning that it isn’t about the final outcome. It is our journey of submission. Sometimes, it is our brokenness that will help others.

I have to ask myself: Are my prayers focused on just my desires? Or can I look beyond my desires and remember that I am here to further the Kingdom of God? For that IS our mission. That IS the will of God. Remembering that even when He doesn’t “fix it”, He is faithful. He is good.

It is about putting my hand in His. Through the pain, through the struggles, through the blessings. As we submit everything to Him, His will is lived through us to touch a dying world.

What I ask myself and you, is this. Do I have faith in just faith? That what I ask for will be answered because I believe? OR Do I have faith in the One who holds my hand -the One who holds the universe together and doesn’t want anyone to perish? That any pain that I have in this life will further His Kingdom? Do I truly believe that God is Good, All the time? I DO! Even if I cannot see it at the present time, that it is good.

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1