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John 12:27-28a – Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? "Father save Me from this hour"? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name! (NIV)
Have you ever imagined our Saviour being in communion with the Father and yet at a loss for the right words to pray? The words of Jesus in today's scripture, "What shall I say?" demonstrate the inner conflict and struggle during the final hours of His life here on earth.
Being involved in a prayer ministry, some of the most difficult prayer requests I have received are from parents whose children are very sick or terminally ill. Knowing God has the power to heal or change our circumstances but chooses not to can be a heartbreaking test of faith for anyone to bear. Yet even our Lord, in His humanity, was put to this test.
So, what shall we say? The Lord who commands us to pray does not always answer our requests, at least not the way we want Him to. However, Jesus set an example for us by settling the matter in these words: "Father, glorify Your name!" With this thought in mind, the answers to our prayers will ultimately lead to God's glory and His purpose in bringing about good for all His children.
The teaching of the apostle Paul comforts us with this promise:
Romans 8:31,38-39 – What then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)
Although we may not always receive the answers we pray for, let us faithfully follow our Lord's example and choose to resolve our differences simply by putting our trust in Him.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the loving obedience of our Saviour to carry out Your divine will and purpose for the redemption of our souls. Help us to keep our eyes upon Him. Strengthen our hearts and turn our fears into trust, for the glory of Your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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