It often happens that I'm pulled in different directions.
Today, I'm working on a simple question. When, exactly, is the right time to stop asking? I'm thinking mostly about prayer.
On the one hand, we're told to persist in prayer. Jesus, for example, tells a parable one time intended to teach us that we "should always pray and not give up" (Matthew 18:1). The character who is celebrated in the story is a persistent widow who bothers a judge so much that the judge finally gives in to her request. According to that story, I might just get what I want if I bother God enough!
On the other hand, I read about Paul and his thorn in the flesh. Paul prayed repeatedly for relief from that thorn, but God consistently said, "No." God explained to Paul why the thorn was there and how it would be used for holy purposes, but God refused to grant relief (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Interestingly, there came a time when Paul stopped asking that the thorn be removed.
And that's what I'm working on today.
How did Paul know that it was time to stop asking? How did he know that the time for persistence was past? How did Paul decide to live with God's NO?
Unfortunately, the answer to my questions is probably not simple or straightforward.
For example, there are likely times when we should NEVER stop praying, times when persistence is always called for.
On the other hand, if Paul's experience means anything, there are probably times when we have asked enough, times when we should simply submit to God's firm and final response.
What I'm struggling with today is trying to tell the difference between those two scenarios.
Further complicating my struggle is the certainty that God's ways are good - and that God's answers are right. God's answers are right . . . even when I don't care much for those answers. In other words, I might not really want to convince God to do what I'm asking. That, in fact, could turn out to be a disaster. So that becomes part of my mental conversation this morning as well.
So what, exactly, do I do with these prayers of mine that God won't give in to? Do I keep praying them, hoping that God will finally see the intensity of my desire? Do I keep praying them - hoping that I can wear God down? Or do I stop praying those prayers, admitting that God has been clear in his response?
Actually, what I usually do is something in between. I bring up the same prayers over and over again - hoping that God won't be offended if I ask just one more time. Thankfully, God is not offended; I'm sure of that.
Still, I'm intrigued by Paul's willingness to stop asking. And I wonder if I should do that. I wonder if it's time for me simply to live with God's NO.
Yes, I think that's exactly what I'll do . . . until I feel the need to ask him just one more time . . .
For example, there are likely times when we should NEVER stop praying, times when persistence is always called for.
On the other hand, if Paul's experience means anything, there are probably times when we have asked enough, times when we should simply submit to God's firm and final response.
What I'm struggling with today is trying to tell the difference between those two scenarios.
Further complicating my struggle is the certainty that God's ways are good - and that God's answers are right. God's answers are right . . . even when I don't care much for those answers. In other words, I might not really want to convince God to do what I'm asking. That, in fact, could turn out to be a disaster. So that becomes part of my mental conversation this morning as well.
So what, exactly, do I do with these prayers of mine that God won't give in to? Do I keep praying them, hoping that God will finally see the intensity of my desire? Do I keep praying them - hoping that I can wear God down? Or do I stop praying those prayers, admitting that God has been clear in his response?
Actually, what I usually do is something in between. I bring up the same prayers over and over again - hoping that God won't be offended if I ask just one more time. Thankfully, God is not offended; I'm sure of that.
Still, I'm intrigued by Paul's willingness to stop asking. And I wonder if I should do that. I wonder if it's time for me simply to live with God's NO.
Yes, I think that's exactly what I'll do . . . until I feel the need to ask him just one more time . . .