Walking in the Valley A bi-weekly column, featuring one Christian's (a)musings on life's journey by Barbara Dahlgren

The Faithful Prayer Column for the weeks of August 16-31, 2006

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I keep forgetting that prayer and faith go hand in hand. Therefore, I’m disappointed when God doesn’t give me the answer to a prayer I want, and shocked when he does.

It reminds me of the old story about a country preacher. He was a fine man loved by all. However, the only advice he ever gave people was, “Pray about it!” One day the preacher’s car wouldn’t start. A passerby saw his predicament and said, “Well, preacher, why don’t you pray about it?” The preacher thought a second and decided to give it a try. He closed the hood of his car, got into the driver’s seat, bowed his head and prayed. Then he pushed the key into the ignition and gave it a tentative turn. Lo and behold, the car started right up. The shocked preacher said, “Well, I’ll be darned!”

Sounds like the preacher had the prayer part down, but lacked some faith.

I guess I’m a little like that preacher. I don’t doubt that God can do whatever he desires, but his desires are not always mine. I waste far too much prayer time trying to persuade God to give me what I want instead of asking God to help me want what he gives. True faith is trusting God to do what he know is best for me instead of what I want.

The Bible is full of such examples. Christ said, “If it be your will, please remove this cup from me, nevertheless, your will be done.” (Matthew 26:39) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego said, “We know that the God we serve is able to deliver us, but if he chooses not to, O King, we will not serve your gods!” (Daniel 3:16-18)

These great men had confidence that God would do what was best for them, according to God’s plan. They wanted God to be glorified and not man. How I long for that kind of faith – faith full of trust, belief, and blessed assurance no matter how bleak the outlook – faith that sings It Is Well with My Soul when the world says, “How could it be?”

Such was the case with Horatio Gates Spafford, a Christian lawyer (that would be considered an oxymoron today), who lived in Chicago in the late 1800s. Having invested heavily in downtown Chicago , he lost a fortune when fire consumed the city. In spite of this, he helped the 100,000 homeless get back on their feet. About the same time his only son died of scarlet fever.

A couple years later Spafford and his family booked passage to Europe . Detained by business, he sent his wife and four daughters on ahead. The ship never made it. It collided with a sailing vessel and sank. Spafford’s wife was one of the 47 survivors who had clung to wreckage and was rescued. Their four daughters were among the 226 fatalities. When his bereaved wife reached Wales she cabled: “Saved Alone.”

Spafford took the next ship to Europe . While on that journey crossing the Atlantic where his daughters had died, his will entwined with God’s and he said, “It is well. The will of God be done.” He later penned the words to this famous hymn we have come to know and love.

I can’t even imagine the grief this man had to bear. I’m sure the “peace like a river” mentioned in the first line of his song came through much faithful prayer – heartfelt prayer aligning his will to God’s not the other way around.

I keep forgetting that prayer and faith go hand in hand. Therefore, I’m disappointed when God doesn’t give me the answer to a prayer I want, and shocked when he does.

It reminds me of the old story about a country preacher. He was a fine man loved by all. However, the only advice he ever gave people was, “Pray about it!” One day the preacher’s car wouldn’t start. A passerby saw his predicament and said, “Well, preacher, why don’t you pray about it?” The preacher thought a second and decided to give it a try. He closed the hood of his car, got into the driver’s seat, bowed his head and prayed. Then he pushed the key into the ignition and gave it a tentative turn. Lo and behold, the car started right up. The shocked preacher said, “Well, I’ll be darned!”

Sounds like the preacher had the prayer part down, but lacked some faith.

I guess I’m a little like that preacher. I don’t doubt that God can do whatever he desires, but his desires are not always mine. I waste far too much prayer time trying to persuade God to give me what I want instead of asking God to help me want what he gives. True faith is trusting God to do what he know is best for me instead of what I want.

The Bible is full of such examples. Christ said, “If it be your will, please remove this cup from me, nevertheless, your will be done.” (Matthew 26:39) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego said, “We know that the God we serve is able to deliver us, but if he chooses not to, O King, we will not serve your gods!” (Daniel 3:16-18)

These great men had confidence that God would do what was best for them, according to God’s plan. They wanted God to be glorified and not man. How I long for that kind of faith – faith full of trust, belief, and blessed assurance no matter how bleak the outlook – faith that sings It Is Well with My Soul when the world says, “How could it be?”

Such was the case with Horatio Gates Spafford, a Christian lawyer (that would be considered an oxymoron today), who lived in Chicago in the late 1800s. Having invested heavily in downtown Chicago , he lost a fortune when fire consumed the city. In spite of this, he helped the 100,000 homeless get back on their feet. About the same time his only son died of scarlet fever.

A couple years later Spafford and his family booked passage to Europe . Detained by business, he sent his wife and four daughters on ahead. The ship never made it. It collided with a sailing vessel and sank. Spafford’s wife was one of the 47 survivors who had clung to wreckage and was rescued. Their four daughters were among the 226 fatalities. When his bereaved wife reached Wales she cabled: “Saved Alone.”

Spafford took the next ship to Europe . While on that journey crossing the Atlantic where his daughters had died, his will entwined with God’s and he said, “It is well. The will of God be done.” He later penned the words to this famous hymn we have come to know and love.

I can’t even imagine the grief this man had to bear. I’m sure the “peace like a river” mentioned in the first line of his song came through much faithful prayer – heartfelt prayer aligning his will to God’s not the other way around.

Be sure to visit this page often to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.