Four Reasons to Keep Praying

I was sitting on my barstool, drowsily sipping my morning coffee and reading my Bible study, when this question jolted me:

What was one of the most passionate or intense prayers you can remember praying?

Immediately I recalled several intense prayer sessions. Sadly, not all of my heartfelt cries produced happy outcomes.

I remembered huddling with a group of friends in the choir room at church. As we knelt on the hard, tiled floor, we called on the Great Physician to heal a dying child. With trembling voices we spoke emotion-filled prayers sprinkled with Bible verses.

Another memory surfaced. I remembered praying with my students as they asked God to heal the father of one of their classmates. God would see the trust in their little hearts and grant their request, wouldn’t he?

Other fierce prayers came to mind. I saw my younger self alone at home, pacing the hallway and calling out loud for God to do something. Surely it was God’s will to restore a Christian marriage. But my words seemed to bounce off the walls and fall back to the floor.

All were fervent, faith-filled, persistent prayers. I confessed my sins. I forgave my enemies (well, mostly). I prayed in Jesus’ name. And for good measure, I tacked on, “If it’s your will, Lord.”

But in each case, God said, No.

As I thought about these intense prayers—all denied—a question crept in through the back door of my mind.

If God has already made up his mind, why pray?

But then I remembered another ardent prayer scene.

A man knelt in a garden at night. Drenched in sweat, he pleaded with God the Father. In that Garden of the Oil Press (as Gethsemane literally means), Jesus, in his humanity, felt the weight of his impending ordeal squeezing him, almost crushing him to death. In his omniscience as the Son of God, Jesus knew the horrific details of the sacrifice before him. And in that sacred moment when divine spoke to divine, God the Son beseeched the Father to spare him the agony of the cross.

But God the Father had a different plan.

And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:41-46 ESV)

Jesus didn’t draw a Get out of Jail Free card, but instead accepted the death sentence belonging to each one of us.

At the time of the crucifixion, Jesus’ followers didn’t understand why he had to die. Up until the last minute, when the nails broke through skin, blood vessels, and muscle, they may have prayed for a miraculous deliverance. And when God didn’t come through, they despaired.

But after the resurrection, Jesus’ friends began to understand God’s masterplan for our redemption.

So why should we risk disappointment (not to mention ridicule for our faith) by asking God for something he might not give? Why not instead wrap ourselves in a blanket of self-protection and simply say, “Your will be done?”

But before abandoning our passionate prayers and adopting a fatalist attitude, let’s consider these reasons to ask anyway.

God tells us to pray.

Jesus instructed his disciples to pray, and he set the example. We’re especially vulnerable when we’re going through tough times; we need prayer to fend off temptation.

Prayer deepens our relationship with God.

As we express our fears, hurts, and longings, God speaks to us, comforts us, and changes us.

God might say yes.

In life-and-death situations, God doesn’t always deliver a miracle, but as a cancer survivor ,I’m living proof God can and does heal.

God may not remove our difficulties, but he’ll strengthen us.

Though the Father didn’t revoke his Son’s assignment, he sent an angel to strengthen Jesus. Through prayer, we gain the courage to withstand the trials God won’t withdraw.

God’s will is perfect, and if he says “No,” it’s because something better is coming.

In retrospect, I see why God denied some of my passionate requests. Other refusals I can’t explain, but I’m confident God understands our grief because he didn’t spare his own Son. We may not understand now, but one day God will pull back the curtain and reveal his wonderful design for our well-being.

In the words of Pastor S. M. Lockridge, “It’s Friday, but Sunday is a-comin’.”

Father, I bring to you my needs, my hurts, and my concerns. You know what’s on my heart. Please give me what my heart desires, but if not, change my heart to conform my desires to yours. I trust you’ll do what’s best. Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (Jas. 5:16 ESV)

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (1 Cor. 13:12 ESV)

Reach for More

What are you desperately hoping God will do? If God seems to be saying, “No,” don’t be discouraged. As Jesus did, pour out your heart to the Father.

Ask anyway, even if the situation appears hopeless. One day God will dry your tears. It may take a while, but your Sunday is coming.

Margaret Kemp spends most days teaching a classroom full of lively five-and six-year-olds. She’s attracted to be fragrance of vanilla, the printed word, and all things blue and white. She delights in spending time with her husband and family, singing praises with her church choir peeps, and traveling. Her heart’s desire is to know God better and learn to trust him more. You can read more of her writing at MargaretKemp.com.