This prayer request went out for a dear sister struggling with cancer. Here was my final response upon hearing of her passing. Consider this a joyful encouragement!
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I truly believe heaven hears our prayers. From the faintest whisper to the outbursts from a broken heart, God hears and He attends to each one (Psalm 61). So when we send prayer requests, we expect (at least I do - smile) for God to answer exactly the way it was presented. How vulnerable a position to place oneself. Why? Because though the prayers of the righteous go a long way, God's answer to prayers goes beyond our comprehension. He knows the plans, purposes and provisions of life that are truly in our best interest. He weaves circumstances to make us stronger. He knits together choices to make us humble. He joins hearts to make us dependent on Him for that peace that continually guards our hearts and minds.
I forwarded a request earlier this week asking you to lift up a dear sister in Christ, Joy Harris. Her name was her personality and her life mimicked the joy of Christ. Last evening, she went home to be with our Savior and though I mourn her passing in my own way, I am at peace and rejoice over her home going. I confess that I truly prayed for healing because that's what I sensed from God to do. It challenged me to trust and now her passing challenges me to trust MORE! Do I believe God could have healed her? Yes "indeed-y-doodle!" Do I trust God's answer to her healing? Ah, there's the $64,000 question and I would have to say, faithfully, I WILL.
As a church, we have been called to pray for the sick, to bind up the brokenhearted, to preach the good news to the poor, to set the captives free (Isaiah 61:1-4). The moment our prayers part our lips, they will challenge us to trust more, to be more obedient and to be more vulnerable. But what an indescribable peace God gives us in the "the more." I encourage you dear family to never give up praying - pray without ceasing and trust God in "the more" (I Thes. 5:17, 18; Phil. 1:3-6; Eph. 6:18; Rom. 12:11, 12).
I part with this final encouragement. In our bible study last evening, this passage was read that set the foundation for how we are to live for Christ in prayer, in word and in deed. I pray this over you...
Colossians 3:12-17...Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
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