Praying Inside the Lines...

Recently, a friend going through a grievous trial asked the question, "If God is in control of everything and is going to do what He wants, then what is the point of prayer?"  This wasn't a question asked out of anger.  It was an honest imploring question from her heart as she wrestled with being prayerful, trusting His sovereignty and ultimate decision, and trying her hardest to please her heavenly Father.  The dilemma was this:  she believed that there were many promises that pointed towards a certain outcome that she desired, but she also knew that sometimes God answers in ways that aren't how we believe they should end.  So she wanted to on one hand, believe with her whole heart in faith, that God was going to answer the way that she needed Him to, but she also wanted to leave room for Him to give a different answer and so she wondered, "Is that a lack of faith or is it an umbrella of trust in His character?"  

How many of you have wrestled with these same questions?  Maybe you didn't realize that you had until you read that and recognized it as truth.  I am not going to try and pretend that I can give you an answer that satisfies all of these questions, because at the end of the day, God is God and we cannot possibly understand all of His ways.  I can, however, suggest that although her heart was filled with many questions, that they actually indicate that her faith was quite strong regardless of the outcome of the situation.  Her ultimate heart motive in this situation was to please Him. She desired more than anything for her heart, mind, and strength to all be in line with His will.  God does not ask us to know everything or demand that we decode some magic combination in order for His will to be done in our lives as He so deems.  He asks us to put our faith and trust in Him, seeking His Kingdom first, and then promises that all of these things will be added to us (Matthew 6:33).  Is that not what she was doing?  If you find yourself in a similar situation, is that not what you too are asked to do?  

So back to the original question?  "What is the point in praying then?"  It depends really.  If you have an unwavering solution to your problem that is crystal clear and that you have painted perfectly, then I'm not sure if there is a point.  There is another type of prayer though, that may have a certain hope in mind, is filled with trust, but has left the framing to be finished by the Father. When You pray to your God in agreement to His Word, you release your hold on the situation.  You release that control; that picture that you have painted of how it should look in the end.  If God answers in a way that you didn't imagine, it doesn't shake your faith, because you know that the landscape He is creating is much more beautiful than anything you could have ever dreamt up, "...as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him-"- 1 Corinthians 2:9

Who is holding your life's paintbrush today?

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts."- Isaiah 55:8-9

Jesus turned around and, seeing her, He said, Take courage, daughter! Your faith has made you well. And at once the woman was restored to health.  Matthew 9:12

So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God.  1 Corinthians 2:5

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.- Matthew 6:33

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.- Ephesians 2:10

However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him-1 Corinthians 2:9