Good morning. Today’s Bible verses are 2 Corinthians 12:8,9: “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
In many prayer meetings, members of the Body of Christ pray for one another's physical well-being, such as successful surgeries or financial stability. Prayers are sometimes also offered for the well-being of non-believers, which is interesting given their rejection of God's grace. As an aside, the primary prayer for non-believers should be that God opens their hearts to believe in the gospel of grace, but I digress.
If the surgery that people pray for is successful, many will comment, “God is so good. The operation went well, and the individual is on the road to health.” Similarly, if the person for whom people prayed is offered a job, many will say, “God is good for providing.” However, what are the thoughts and comments if the surgery does not provide relief or if the person does not survive? If a job isn’t provided immediately and the person’s financial situation becomes uncertain, you might hear, “Well, prayer is answered with a yes, no, or wait,” but you rarely hear, “God is good.” That, my friends, is the heart of the matter regarding our testimony on prayer.
Dear brothers and sisters, when God answers our prayers as we ask, we say, “God is good.” But we can feel sad and disappointed when the answer is not what we wanted. As members of Christ’s Body, we should have Paul’s attitude. Trust that Christ Jesus’ grace is sufficient and have faith in God’s plan. Remember, the answers to our prayers will bring the most glory to God and benefit all who believe. God’s goodness doesn’t depend on giving us specific answers; He is always good, and His grace is always enough. So, let’s be mindful in prayer, knowing God is always good. Through His grace, we find comfort in everything. Let our prayers be for spiritual growth, peace of mind, and strength from the Holy Spirit.
Reflection: Pause for a moment to reflect on your prayers. What are your thoughts, regardless of the outcome?
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 2 Co 12:8–9.