Prayer, Faith and Strength

I love the book of James.  There is so much in this short book. Its one that I read over and over -and is probably my favorite book in the Bible.  I have found myself there again lately. 

The past few days I have been thinking about Prayer.  Specifically, the way I pray.  Even more specifically, the attitude behind my prayers.  A bit of a mindset change has been happening and its a good one. 

When facing hard issues, struggles or circumstances in life, do you pray them away or do you pray for your own strength to endure them? 

For example, which of these would characterize your approach...

Your children have pushed you to the limit:
"Lord, please make them obey and listen to me!"
or
"Lord, please help me to have the patience I need to train and correct my children in the way that You have commanded me."

An argument with your husband:
"Lord, why cant he see how difficult he is being?  He doesnt deserve any respect or love from me.  Open his eyes, Lord."
or
"Lord, this is so hard.  I dont want to respect or love him but you have commanded me to do so.  Give me the strength I need to obey you and love You through him.  Open my eyes and show me what I can do different."

Facing illnesses, injuries, death, etc:
"Lord save them!";  "Heal them.";  "Restore their life."...
or
"Lord, move in their lives.  Reveal Yourself to them.  Work in their lives to bring about Your perfect will for them -even if it means taking them Home to you."

We think we know so much but really... we know so little.  So many times we come crying to God, begging Him to do our bidding and when He says "no", we pout or grumble and think He is holding out on us. 

But many times, the answer isnt "No, I wont move in this situation", it is "No, you arent asking the right question."

James chapter 1 reminds us in such a simple and yet pointed way that our suffering, our trials are for a reason -to test our faith and bring about endurance (v3).   Just like a runner that has to slowly build up to the marathon distance, our faith must also be built and strengthened little by little.  And with no "exercise", those muscles are never strengthened. 

We are meant to grow and be strengthend by the hard sitautions in our lives. We are never promised a life of "ease" or one where everything is perfect.  In fact, we are promised the opposite!  Jesus Himself told us that in this life, there will be trouble.  But take heart, because He has overcome this world (John 16:33) and if we are in Him, we are partakers of that victory as well (1 John 5:4). 

"But I'm not the one struggling, its him/her/them..."  -Chances are, if someone close to you is struggling with something that is affecting you, you need to grow and be strengthend as much as they do -maybe just in a different way.  Maybe you are being taught patience.  Maybe you are being taught to obey even if the other person doesnt deserve it.  Ask Him, He will show you where you are to grow as well. 

So dont pray that God would change the situation.  Dont pray that God will change the other person.  Dont even always pray that God will take the trouble away. 

Instead, pray that God will change you to be more like Him.  Pray that you will be the godly woman that He is trying to grow you in to.  Pray for strength, mercy and grace to make it through the situation.  That is exaclty what He has promised He will provide. 

And He never fails. 

♥