Where Are You God?
Prayer through Suffering
I remember where I was when a thought ran through my mind: “Deb’s cancer is back. But don’t be afraid. It’s going to be OK.” Was that You, Lord? I wasn’t sure. But I prayed for her anyway. Later that week at our Wednesday House of Prayer at church, Deb announced that her cancer had returned. I admit I was taken back. Why did God alert me in advance? And what did He mean by it’s going to be OK? Our church prayed fervently for Deb’s healing. But over the course of several months, we watched her cancer treatments fail. A few elders and intercessors met with Deb and her husband in her home to pray with her. She shared her fears and cried with us. We continued to pray. I don’t think I’ve ever prayed for anyone’s healing more than I prayed for Deb. I fasted and prayed right up until the morning of Deb’s death. So much suffering. So much pain. And for me, bewilderment. How could this be OK? Deb’s memorial service was packed with people. I sat with the overflow crowd in the lobby and watched on a monitor. I was still struggling. And then our pastor’s profound message on the providence of God startled me into a new way of thinking. He said that every person was there because of His providence. Did you live in Deb’s neighborhood? God’s providence. Did your son play hockey with her sons? God’s providence. God orchestrated every relationship in Deb’s life for that moment: for the gospel to be shared and for every person to have opportunity to surrender to Jesus. I realized it was OK. Deb was secure in Christ. Her strong faith, positive countenance, and love for Jesus spoke volumes. God uses His people to bring glory to Him. This insight reframed the way I pray for those suffering: I pray they will understand God’s deep love and purposes—in life or death.In This Issue
Some time ago, we assigned an article on suffering to Bishop Harry Jackson and his wife Vivian. We were shocked when, a few weeks later, she suddenly passed away. In time, we cautiously approached Bishop Jackson, asking if he wanted to be released from his assignment. He still wanted to write it, but now from his own experience of suffering. Pray for him as he continues to adjust to life without his wife. Dana Olson, a cancer survivor and pastor who has prayed for many through suffering, discusses ways he learned to pray with more insight as he traversed his own cancer journey. Johnnie Moore writes from his perspective as an advocate for persecuted believers around the world, and how they are sustained by prayer.Roadmap Prayer
In Philippians Paul writes of his personal desire to know Jesus more intimately and experience resurrection power—by sharing in Christ’s sufferings (3:10). Paul even provides a roadmap: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6–7, NLT). I’m not eager to invite suffering into my life. But I know that through prayer I can experience Christ’s love, peace, and resurrection power—regardless of the outcome. CAROL MADISON is editor of Prayer Connect.
