Many times this fear leaked over into the way I would pray to God. I was often afraid to pray about something specific, or to present a request to God and trust that He would answer.
What if I believed with all of my heart, but then I didn't get the answer that I had been praying for? What if God let me down? How could I then go on trusting Him?
These were thoughts that came at me many times, and caused me to shy away when I would talk to God about my needs. I often tried to have a back up plan, just in case he didn't answer the way I thought he should!
I remember a few years ago reading the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Bible. (found in Daniel chapter 3) If you aren't familiar with the story, I encourage you to read it! Even if you know it, you should really read it again!
The king back then, had ordered that everyone worship an idol that he'd built, and if anyone refused they would be thrown into a huge fire. But these 3 men would not bow down to any false gods and said they would only worship the true God. For this, the king ordered that they were to be thrown into the furnace. I am sure these men prayed to God pretty hard, their prayer was probably very specific, asking him to save them!
Thankfully God did save them from being burnt up! But the part of the story that really stands out to me is what these men told the king, before they were thrown into the fire. Daniel 3:17-18" If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
But even if he does not...
Six little words that hold such meaning!
These men prayed, but their faith in God was not dependent on God answering the way that they thought he should. They knew that God could save them, but their trust and faith rested securely in who God was, not in what God could do for them.
My heart longs for this type of Truth to soak down into my very soul. It breaks off every fear that tries to sneak it's way into my prayers. The lies that tell me that I shouldn't trust God because what if he doesn't answer the way I think he should, or what if he lets me down because thing don't go the way I think they need to. I realize that my faith and trust needs to be firmly rooted in who God is, not just in what he can do.
Deuteronomy 31:6 says the he will never leave us or forsake us.
Philippians 4:12-13 says that he will give us strength in every situation that we face.
Romans 8:28 That he does work things out for the good of those who love him.
As we fill our minds with the Truth, we can then pray to God with confidence, knowing that he loves us, that he sees the big picture. Our faith, hope, and trust are unshakable when they are securely rooted in God.
There's a song called Trust In You, by Lauren Daigle, that I've been listening to lots lately. The words echo the cry in my heart to trust God even when things aren't going the way that I think they should.
Here's a link to the song:
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