A Higher Way?

As I enter this time of prayer, I repeat the words of Psalm 23:1–3, slowly, several times, making them my prayer to God:

‘The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul.’

Pause and repeat

Pause to read the passage: Isa. 55:8–9

‘Sometimes God denies my prayers because He has something even better for me. I breathe an easy amen to God’s promise through Jeremiah: “I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11). My heart rises to pray with Thomas à Kempis: “O Lord, you know what is best for me. Give what you will, how much you will and when you will”’*

Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth, said that ‘God has not always answered my prayers. If He had, I would have married the wrong man several times!’**With the benefit of hindsight, what passionate prayers are there in my past that I’m now grateful God ignored?

Pause and reflect

Is it possible that the reason for my unanswered prayer is that God has a ‘higher way’? If so, I ask Him now to help me trust His alternative plan, even if every fibre of my being wants something completely different.

Pause and pray

As I bring this time with God to a close, I pray the words of this reflection of an unknown soldier from the American Civil War:

I asked for strength that I might achieve; He made me weak that I might obey.

I asked for health that I might do greater things;

I was given grace that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy;

I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;

I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I received nothing that I asked for, all that I hoped for.

My prayer was answered, I was most blessed.***

Amen.

* Pete Greig, God on Mute, David C Cook, (Colorado Springs, 2020), p149

** Ibid, p150

***Ibid, p255