1 00:00:02,700 --> 00:00:03,620 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:09,080 Speaker 2: Hello, welcome to the Praying Christian Women podcast. I am 3 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:10,500 Speaker 2: Alana here with Jamie. 4 00:00:10,539 --> 00:00:12,360 Speaker 1: How's it going? It's going. 5 00:00:12,560 --> 00:00:16,210 Speaker 2: Everybody is having a lovely fall or whatever season it is, 6 00:00:16,230 --> 00:00:19,630 Speaker 2: when and where you're listening in, and we have another 7 00:00:19,750 --> 00:00:23,970 Speaker 2: coffee break episode for you. So these are when you 8 00:00:24,110 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 2: get to write in questions or topic suggestions, and Jamie 9 00:00:27,940 --> 00:00:30,410 Speaker 2: and I get to show up with our coffee or 10 00:00:30,490 --> 00:00:33,770 Speaker 2: our coffee alternatives and chat about what's on your heart. 11 00:00:34,409 --> 00:00:38,400 Speaker 1: Yeah. So I'll read our question. This was a listener question. 12 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 3: How do you know when to keep on persevering in 13 00:00:41,500 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 3: prayer and when to accept that Jesus doesn't want to 14 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 3: answer your specific prayer and learn to move on? And 15 00:00:48,150 --> 00:00:50,490 Speaker 3: there are several chunks that we can pull out of this, 16 00:00:50,530 --> 00:00:53,710 Speaker 3: several different questions within a question. So we just want 17 00:00:53,730 --> 00:00:57,210 Speaker 3: to thank our listener for this question. And Yeah, I 18 00:00:57,250 --> 00:00:58,970 Speaker 3: think it's going to be a good one. I think 19 00:00:58,990 --> 00:01:02,750 Speaker 3: it's a very common question that we all have. So 20 00:01:02,770 --> 00:01:03,410 Speaker 3: I think it's going. 21 00:01:03,310 --> 00:01:03,770 Speaker 1: To be great. 22 00:01:04,290 --> 00:01:06,610 Speaker 2: You know, sometimes I think we even did a whole 23 00:01:06,650 --> 00:01:10,970 Speaker 2: mini series focusing on the basics of prayer. And I 24 00:01:11,010 --> 00:01:14,190 Speaker 2: don't consider this a basic. I consider this like this 25 00:01:14,290 --> 00:01:19,569 Speaker 2: is prayer 401 or 405 or 422. You know, this 26 00:01:19,670 --> 00:01:25,149 Speaker 2: is hard to have that discernment. It is hard to 27 00:01:25,209 --> 00:01:29,780 Speaker 2: persevere in prayer. When you're not seeing any evidence that 28 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:34,380 Speaker 2: God is listening, it's just as hard to know when 29 00:01:34,459 --> 00:01:37,419 Speaker 2: is it time to graciously accept that God has not 30 00:01:38,140 --> 00:01:41,720 Speaker 2: accepted your prayer. I think my favorite picture of this 31 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:45,810 Speaker 2: from scripture is the story of David and the baby 32 00:01:45,850 --> 00:01:50,670 Speaker 2: that he and Bathsheba conceives falls ill and is grievously ill. 33 00:01:51,750 --> 00:01:56,550 Speaker 2: And David is fasting and praying hard. And the baby 34 00:01:56,590 --> 00:02:01,210 Speaker 2: dies and everybody's afraid to tell David because they're kind 35 00:02:01,270 --> 00:02:03,510 Speaker 2: of like, well, if he's this upset while the baby's 36 00:02:03,550 --> 00:02:06,150 Speaker 2: still alive, what's he going to do when he finds 37 00:02:06,220 --> 00:02:10,160 Speaker 2: out the baby's dead? And once he finds out that 38 00:02:10,200 --> 00:02:12,840 Speaker 2: the baby has died, he gets up and he gets 39 00:02:12,860 --> 00:02:18,269 Speaker 2: stressed and he eats because that is the final answer. 40 00:02:18,430 --> 00:02:23,630 Speaker 2: And sometimes... There is a gracious gift that God gives us, 41 00:02:23,870 --> 00:02:26,730 Speaker 2: even if it's not the answer we want. It is 42 00:02:26,750 --> 00:02:32,650 Speaker 2: the release of having to wrestle in prayer with an issue. 43 00:02:33,230 --> 00:02:37,400 Speaker 2: But that takes so much grace and discernment to know, 44 00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:40,179 Speaker 2: and none of us wants to just give up when 45 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:43,090 Speaker 2: we were meant to persevere in prayer. But we also 46 00:02:43,169 --> 00:02:45,620 Speaker 2: don't want to, you know, fight against somebody as strong 47 00:02:45,660 --> 00:02:48,840 Speaker 2: as God when what we're praying for is completely against 48 00:02:48,900 --> 00:02:50,340 Speaker 2: his will. So I'm so glad we get. 49 00:02:50,260 --> 00:02:53,900 Speaker 1: To chat about this. Yeah, me too. I think it's important. 50 00:02:54,370 --> 00:02:56,870 Speaker 3: Our verse that kind of goes along with this is 51 00:02:56,870 --> 00:03:00,530 Speaker 3: 2 Corinthians 12, 7 to 10. And it's kind of 52 00:03:00,570 --> 00:03:03,730 Speaker 3: along the same lines as David, where Paul says, three 53 00:03:03,770 --> 00:03:05,570 Speaker 3: times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it 54 00:03:05,590 --> 00:03:07,950 Speaker 3: should leave me. But he said, my grace is sufficient 55 00:03:07,990 --> 00:03:10,120 Speaker 3: for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 56 00:03:10,180 --> 00:03:13,340 Speaker 3: This is the classic like thorn in his side. You know, 57 00:03:13,419 --> 00:03:18,919 Speaker 3: he prayed, petitioned three times, but then he heard from God. 58 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:20,820 Speaker 3: And we don't know if it was an audible voice 59 00:03:20,919 --> 00:03:24,220 Speaker 3: or an impression or what it was, but God imparted 60 00:03:24,340 --> 00:03:27,630 Speaker 3: to Paul. My grace is sufficient. My power is made 61 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:30,220 Speaker 3: perfect in weakness. So he was praying for weakness to 62 00:03:30,260 --> 00:03:32,079 Speaker 3: be taken away, for him to be able to be 63 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:35,740 Speaker 3: strengthened for good purposes, to be able to presumably share 64 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:41,360 Speaker 3: the gospel more effectively, to operate more fully in his ministry, 65 00:03:42,060 --> 00:03:44,900 Speaker 3: which is like in our human perspective, it's like, why 66 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:48,430 Speaker 3: wouldn't God want that? But God chose to say, you 67 00:03:48,470 --> 00:03:48,770 Speaker 3: know what? 68 00:03:49,350 --> 00:03:50,690 Speaker 1: Leaving this thorn is. 69 00:03:52,260 --> 00:03:54,780 Speaker 3: better for you and for my plans and for the 70 00:03:54,820 --> 00:03:58,300 Speaker 3: gospel to be furthered. And so Paul knew and, you know, 71 00:03:58,320 --> 00:04:01,420 Speaker 3: we assume that he accepted that and moved on with 72 00:04:01,460 --> 00:04:03,460 Speaker 3: the thorn for the rest of his life, maybe. 73 00:04:04,740 --> 00:04:08,080 Speaker 2: Which is kind of sad, too. You know, it's a 74 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 2: verse that's held up as almost a victory verse. But 75 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:14,100 Speaker 2: if you just think about it from the human perspective, 76 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:16,420 Speaker 2: from whatever it was that Paul had to endure, that's 77 00:04:16,460 --> 00:04:17,700 Speaker 2: also kind of sad. 78 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:19,620 Speaker 1: Yeah, it definitely can be. 79 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:23,190 Speaker 3: And I love the times when we have the benefit 80 00:04:23,290 --> 00:04:26,810 Speaker 3: of seeing the reasons, when we can look in hindsight 81 00:04:26,870 --> 00:04:27,330 Speaker 3: and say, oh. 82 00:04:28,029 --> 00:04:29,130 Speaker 1: That's why that happened. 83 00:04:29,150 --> 00:04:32,390 Speaker 3: Yeah, I totally would not have gotten to this point 84 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 3: had it not been for that thorn. I love when 85 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:39,640 Speaker 3: we can see God's good workings and good purposes. But 86 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:42,920 Speaker 3: the truth is, I think that's the exception to the rule. 87 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:45,580 Speaker 3: I think most of the time, we don't have that. 88 00:04:45,500 --> 00:04:46,580 Speaker 1: Benefit of hindsight. 89 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 3: And We just have to be like, okay, you know, 90 00:04:49,740 --> 00:04:52,180 Speaker 3: there's a lot of what ifs probably in your mind 91 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:54,780 Speaker 3: of what would have happened if I had not had 92 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:59,410 Speaker 3: this thing or if things had been different. But yeah, it's, 93 00:04:59,870 --> 00:05:03,030 Speaker 3: and I think the deeper question is, well, I kind 94 00:05:03,050 --> 00:05:04,690 Speaker 3: of want to pull apart, kind of want to pull 95 00:05:04,730 --> 00:05:07,210 Speaker 3: apart this question from our listener because I think there 96 00:05:07,250 --> 00:05:11,300 Speaker 3: are a few different questions within a question. So thing one, 97 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:15,089 Speaker 3: how do you know when to keep praying? So the 98 00:05:15,130 --> 00:05:17,650 Speaker 3: question is, here's Paul with his answer. 99 00:05:17,710 --> 00:05:18,330 Speaker 1: Here's David. 100 00:05:18,770 --> 00:05:21,190 Speaker 3: Obviously, if you're praying for someone's healing and they die, 101 00:05:21,690 --> 00:05:24,830 Speaker 3: that's your answer. But what about when you're Paul and 102 00:05:24,890 --> 00:05:28,969 Speaker 3: you have a thorn that isn't being necessarily taken away, 103 00:05:28,990 --> 00:05:33,190 Speaker 3: but how do you know if you're hearing the definitive 104 00:05:33,230 --> 00:05:35,869 Speaker 3: voice of God saying, nope, this is what you need 105 00:05:36,470 --> 00:05:39,090 Speaker 3: versus I'm going to pray tooth and nail because the 106 00:05:39,210 --> 00:05:42,310 Speaker 3: enemy is coming against me and The Bible says, you know, 107 00:05:42,390 --> 00:05:44,870 Speaker 3: kind of the flip side are the scriptures that say, 108 00:05:45,290 --> 00:05:50,070 Speaker 3: you know, the persistent widow, keeping asking, knocking, pounding down 109 00:05:50,110 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 3: the door until you get what you need and want 110 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:56,040 Speaker 3: and what you think is your best and God's best. 111 00:05:56,660 --> 00:05:58,640 Speaker 3: So I think the first question, how do you know? 112 00:05:59,100 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's one of those that can be really loaded 113 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:09,029 Speaker 2: because prayer disappointment can be so real and it can 114 00:06:09,070 --> 00:06:13,810 Speaker 2: be so painful. And anything that you and I say 115 00:06:13,830 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 2: can sound like the Band-Aid for that kind of grievous 116 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:24,460 Speaker 2: injury to the soul. And I think we all need 117 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:31,710 Speaker 2: to recognize that God doesn't promise us from those real 118 00:06:31,790 --> 00:06:38,650 Speaker 2: extreme devastating prayer denials or prayer disappointments. And we can't 119 00:06:39,430 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 2: always know why. And that's what I love about the 120 00:06:42,100 --> 00:06:45,840 Speaker 2: parable of the persistent widow, I totally would have like 121 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:48,560 Speaker 2: bet that you would have chosen that one as the 122 00:06:48,610 --> 00:06:52,330 Speaker 2: verse of the day today. And the story for people 123 00:06:52,350 --> 00:06:55,529 Speaker 2: who aren't familiar is there's this widow who's trying to 124 00:06:55,570 --> 00:06:59,680 Speaker 2: get justice and she just keeps basically pestering the judge 125 00:06:59,920 --> 00:07:04,540 Speaker 2: until finally the judge just gives her her request. And 126 00:07:04,660 --> 00:07:10,220 Speaker 2: Jesus says, if this unrighteous judge who doesn't really care 127 00:07:10,280 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 2: about justice is grants this widow's request, how much more 128 00:07:15,980 --> 00:07:20,340 Speaker 2: will he grant your request? So it's almost the judge 129 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:24,440 Speaker 2: is being compared to God more than we as believers 130 00:07:24,500 --> 00:07:28,240 Speaker 2: are being compared to the widow. And then Jesus says, 131 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 2: but when the Son of Man returns to earth, will 132 00:07:30,500 --> 00:07:35,350 Speaker 2: he find faith? And on the one hand, it takes 133 00:07:35,550 --> 00:07:41,090 Speaker 2: audacity and gall to keep demanding something. It takes faith 134 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:47,630 Speaker 2: faith to sometimes surrender and to sometimes say, maybe this 135 00:07:47,890 --> 00:07:51,610 Speaker 2: isn't where I'm supposed to go. And maybe this isn't 136 00:07:52,250 --> 00:07:53,450 Speaker 2: what God has for me. 137 00:07:53,990 --> 00:07:57,150 Speaker 3: Yeah. I think it takes more faith sometimes to do 138 00:07:57,210 --> 00:07:57,980 Speaker 3: that than. 139 00:07:58,400 --> 00:07:59,040 Speaker 1: Absolutely. 140 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:03,780 Speaker 3: But I mean, the answer really is, it's very specific 141 00:08:03,820 --> 00:08:08,280 Speaker 3: to each individual circumstance, how to know. And it's not 142 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:12,900 Speaker 3: a science. It's a relationship. Yeah. And it's walking with 143 00:08:12,940 --> 00:08:18,290 Speaker 3: God enough. But I feel like, you know, there are 144 00:08:18,310 --> 00:08:20,810 Speaker 3: a few different verses that I think when we approach 145 00:08:20,850 --> 00:08:22,670 Speaker 3: that question, we need to move on to the second 146 00:08:22,690 --> 00:08:24,670 Speaker 3: part of the question that was asked, because how do 147 00:08:24,710 --> 00:08:26,950 Speaker 3: you know when to keep on persevering and when to 148 00:08:26,990 --> 00:08:30,450 Speaker 3: accept that Jesus doesn't want to answer your specific prayer? 149 00:08:30,470 --> 00:08:32,670 Speaker 1: And I feel. 150 00:08:32,550 --> 00:08:34,850 Speaker 3: Like we need to take that apart because I think 151 00:08:34,910 --> 00:08:38,860 Speaker 3: the way that we view God and Jesus is, in 152 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:42,069 Speaker 3: terms of prayer, like the foundation of who they are, 153 00:08:42,490 --> 00:08:45,090 Speaker 3: who God is, how he views. 154 00:08:44,910 --> 00:08:46,630 Speaker 1: Us and views prayer is important. 155 00:08:47,590 --> 00:08:51,250 Speaker 3: Because I think if we think that there are two options, 156 00:08:51,590 --> 00:08:54,750 Speaker 3: option one is we get what we ask for. Option two, 157 00:08:54,809 --> 00:08:57,110 Speaker 3: Jesus doesn't want to answer this specific prayer. 158 00:08:57,130 --> 00:08:58,469 Speaker 1: And I know it's. 159 00:08:58,390 --> 00:09:02,340 Speaker 3: Really like splitting hairs, but I just believe that if 160 00:09:02,440 --> 00:09:07,540 Speaker 3: we go into prayer believing that God hears our prayers, 161 00:09:08,410 --> 00:09:12,330 Speaker 3: and that he answers all of our prayers, I think 162 00:09:12,350 --> 00:09:17,069 Speaker 3: that that, for me, is an easier avenue for me 163 00:09:17,150 --> 00:09:20,099 Speaker 3: to go into. I know it's kind of semantics. Okay, 164 00:09:20,580 --> 00:09:23,459 Speaker 3: if God says no, then that's, you know, some people 165 00:09:23,480 --> 00:09:27,120 Speaker 3: would say, well, that's not answering my prayer. And for me, 166 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:29,420 Speaker 3: if I looked at it that way, I would be 167 00:09:29,480 --> 00:09:31,070 Speaker 3: hesitant to go to God because I'd be like, well, 168 00:09:31,090 --> 00:09:32,370 Speaker 3: I don't want to bug him in case he doesn't 169 00:09:32,390 --> 00:09:34,990 Speaker 3: want to answer this prayer, rather than I want to 170 00:09:35,030 --> 00:09:35,730 Speaker 3: go to God with. 171 00:09:35,809 --> 00:09:38,410 Speaker 1: Every single prayer. Every single desire of my heart. 172 00:09:38,950 --> 00:09:42,329 Speaker 3: Have not because you ask not. You know, ask, seek, knock. 173 00:09:42,429 --> 00:09:46,309 Speaker 3: And I'll link to some specific scriptures that go to this. But, 174 00:09:46,710 --> 00:09:49,250 Speaker 3: you know, 1 John 5, 14, if we ask anything 175 00:09:49,290 --> 00:09:53,270 Speaker 3: according to his will, he hears us. And, you know, 176 00:09:53,330 --> 00:09:56,770 Speaker 3: Jesus himself, Matthew 26, 39, Father, if it's possible, let 177 00:09:56,790 --> 00:09:59,329 Speaker 3: this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, 178 00:09:59,370 --> 00:10:03,160 Speaker 3: but as you will. Meaning, I know you're hearing me. 179 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:05,300 Speaker 3: This is what I absolutely want. And I'm going to 180 00:10:05,320 --> 00:10:07,580 Speaker 3: be bold enough to ask for it. But I know 181 00:10:07,600 --> 00:10:09,600 Speaker 3: that it's in your hands and I have faith and trust. 182 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:14,100 Speaker 3: And then, you know, going back to, if you remain 183 00:10:14,140 --> 00:10:16,420 Speaker 3: in me, my words remain in you, ask whatever you 184 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:19,000 Speaker 3: wish and it will be given you. I mean, I 185 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:20,760 Speaker 3: don't know. I just feel like if we go into 186 00:10:20,850 --> 00:10:24,430 Speaker 3: it like this is a loving father who wants to 187 00:10:24,470 --> 00:10:26,530 Speaker 3: hear all of it. He wants to hear all of 188 00:10:26,590 --> 00:10:29,810 Speaker 3: our desires, all of our wants and our needs. And 189 00:10:30,370 --> 00:10:33,590 Speaker 3: rather than thinking that he doesn't want to answer the 190 00:10:33,630 --> 00:10:37,910 Speaker 3: prayers sometimes, we've talked before about how the Holy Spirit 191 00:10:38,670 --> 00:10:44,120 Speaker 3: kind of intercedes and almost translates our prayers into god's 192 00:10:44,340 --> 00:10:46,040 Speaker 3: perfect will for us even if we don't know what 193 00:10:46,090 --> 00:10:48,109 Speaker 3: to ask you know the bible says if you if 194 00:10:48,130 --> 00:10:50,349 Speaker 3: you don't know how to pray you know basically the 195 00:10:50,410 --> 00:10:54,030 Speaker 3: holy spirit intercedes with groans too deep for words and 196 00:10:54,309 --> 00:10:58,969 Speaker 3: basically translates the desires the truest most pure most in 197 00:10:59,010 --> 00:11:02,530 Speaker 3: line with god's will desires of our hearts and god 198 00:11:02,970 --> 00:11:06,770 Speaker 3: responds so i don't know it might be for some 199 00:11:06,790 --> 00:11:08,550 Speaker 3: people they're like you're they're saying the same thing but 200 00:11:08,650 --> 00:11:11,510 Speaker 3: for me I feel like going into it knowing that 201 00:11:11,570 --> 00:11:14,890 Speaker 3: the prayer is being heard and God is at work 202 00:11:15,030 --> 00:11:17,030 Speaker 3: in all things that I'm asking him to work in, 203 00:11:17,570 --> 00:11:21,709 Speaker 3: even if the outcome is not what I specifically asked for, 204 00:11:22,330 --> 00:11:25,109 Speaker 3: it's so freeing for me because then I see it 205 00:11:25,330 --> 00:11:28,309 Speaker 3: as not a hands up, no, I don't want to 206 00:11:28,390 --> 00:11:31,990 Speaker 3: answer that prayer, go away. And I instead feel this 207 00:11:32,070 --> 00:11:35,330 Speaker 3: embrace of, I want your absolute best and I am 208 00:11:35,390 --> 00:11:38,340 Speaker 3: taking all of that information into consideration and we are 209 00:11:38,380 --> 00:11:42,699 Speaker 3: going to, formulate your life and let these things unfold 210 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:44,980 Speaker 3: in ways that are maybe greater than you could ever 211 00:11:45,020 --> 00:11:45,719 Speaker 3: have imagined. 212 00:11:58,240 --> 00:11:59,220 Speaker 1: So I don't know. 213 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:03,000 Speaker 2: I'm really glad you brought that up because I cringed 214 00:12:03,100 --> 00:12:05,240 Speaker 2: a little at the wording of the question, but didn't 215 00:12:05,300 --> 00:12:07,660 Speaker 2: exactly know why. But it is that sense of Jesus 216 00:12:07,700 --> 00:12:10,860 Speaker 2: doesn't want to answer your prayer. And again, I'm exactly 217 00:12:10,900 --> 00:12:14,340 Speaker 2: with you. Yes, it's semantics, but words are so important. 218 00:12:14,900 --> 00:12:18,559 Speaker 2: And the way we emphasize words and the language we 219 00:12:18,700 --> 00:12:23,280 Speaker 2: use is so important. And I'm not saying it changes 220 00:12:23,300 --> 00:12:26,340 Speaker 2: who God is, but it changes how we think about things. 221 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:28,580 Speaker 2: And so if we just think about it as, okay, 222 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:30,500 Speaker 2: either God's going to give me what I ask or 223 00:12:30,540 --> 00:12:32,819 Speaker 2: Jesus doesn't want to give me what I want. If 224 00:12:32,860 --> 00:12:37,850 Speaker 2: those are your only options, then it becomes a battle 225 00:12:37,880 --> 00:12:41,069 Speaker 2: of the wills and it becomes God is kind of 226 00:12:41,090 --> 00:12:43,810 Speaker 2: capricious and sometimes he gives you what you want and 227 00:12:43,850 --> 00:12:48,100 Speaker 2: sometimes he doesn't. And it's not that God is the 228 00:12:48,160 --> 00:12:52,100 Speaker 2: loving parents. And, you know, let's say your kid asks 229 00:12:52,140 --> 00:12:53,960 Speaker 2: for something. Let's say your kid asks for an ice 230 00:12:54,020 --> 00:12:57,840 Speaker 2: cream cone, but they've got a severe milk allergy, but 231 00:12:57,980 --> 00:12:59,900 Speaker 2: all their friends are eating ice cream cones at the 232 00:12:59,940 --> 00:13:01,980 Speaker 2: park and they just, they want an ice cream cone 233 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:05,990 Speaker 2: and they're too young to fully understand. Your response isn't, 234 00:13:06,570 --> 00:13:08,110 Speaker 2: I don't want to give you an ice cream cone. 235 00:13:09,170 --> 00:13:12,890 Speaker 2: Your response is, this is so hard for you. You 236 00:13:12,929 --> 00:13:15,650 Speaker 2: want a treat. You want to be part of what 237 00:13:15,690 --> 00:13:20,370 Speaker 2: your friends are doing. And then you can translate that to, 238 00:13:21,250 --> 00:13:23,250 Speaker 2: we can't have the ice cream cone, but maybe there's 239 00:13:23,270 --> 00:13:26,140 Speaker 2: something else we can have. Or Let's say there's literally, 240 00:13:26,179 --> 00:13:29,179 Speaker 2: let's say there is nothing at that park at all 241 00:13:29,220 --> 00:13:31,880 Speaker 2: that your child is able to eat. There can still 242 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:35,550 Speaker 2: be a sense of, I understand the heart behind what 243 00:13:35,570 --> 00:13:38,350 Speaker 2: you're asking and it's to feel special and it's to 244 00:13:38,370 --> 00:13:41,569 Speaker 2: feel part of this group. So maybe let's make plans 245 00:13:41,610 --> 00:13:45,960 Speaker 2: at home to make this special thing together or whatever 246 00:13:45,980 --> 00:13:48,980 Speaker 2: it is. And that's what I love about the idea 247 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:51,860 Speaker 2: of the prayer behind the prayer. And the prayer behind 248 00:13:51,880 --> 00:13:54,219 Speaker 2: the prayer behind the prayer behind the prayer is always 249 00:13:54,260 --> 00:13:58,330 Speaker 2: going to be answered. Because if you do enough rock 250 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:02,610 Speaker 2: skipping to like what's really beneath the surface, you will 251 00:14:02,790 --> 00:14:05,929 Speaker 2: always get to something that is within God's will. And 252 00:14:06,010 --> 00:14:07,630 Speaker 2: so no, maybe he doesn't want you to have the 253 00:14:07,750 --> 00:14:10,590 Speaker 2: ice cream cone. Maybe he doesn't want you to have 254 00:14:10,610 --> 00:14:13,170 Speaker 2: the house that you put a bid on. But maybe 255 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:16,689 Speaker 2: he knows the heart behind that is you want a 256 00:14:16,750 --> 00:14:19,290 Speaker 2: sense of security for you and your family. And He 257 00:14:19,330 --> 00:14:22,130 Speaker 2: can give you that if you guys are sleeping in 258 00:14:22,170 --> 00:14:25,250 Speaker 2: a van for the summer. And so I love to 259 00:14:25,290 --> 00:14:28,790 Speaker 2: think of that because I grew up having a really 260 00:14:28,830 --> 00:14:31,710 Speaker 2: hard time because all of the verses you rattled off 261 00:14:31,770 --> 00:14:34,870 Speaker 2: and a dozen more don't really make it out like 262 00:14:35,150 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 2: God's somebody who chooses whether or not to answer prayers. 263 00:14:38,260 --> 00:14:40,520 Speaker 2: There's enough verses that you can cherry pick out of 264 00:14:40,540 --> 00:14:45,980 Speaker 2: the Bible to make it seem pretty darn obvious At 265 00:14:46,020 --> 00:14:49,100 Speaker 2: least the Bible says on its surface that whatever we 266 00:14:49,180 --> 00:14:52,410 Speaker 2: ask for in prayer, we will receive. And yet we 267 00:14:52,470 --> 00:14:55,770 Speaker 2: are all taught, well, and sometimes God's answer is no. 268 00:14:56,090 --> 00:14:58,330 Speaker 2: I really don't like that adage. God answers every prayer, 269 00:14:58,370 --> 00:15:00,610 Speaker 2: but sometimes that answer is no. I don't think that 270 00:15:00,630 --> 00:15:04,410 Speaker 2: addresses this confusion of, okay, if I can point to 271 00:15:04,410 --> 00:15:08,560 Speaker 2: 30 verses that feel like promises from God to me 272 00:15:08,580 --> 00:15:11,640 Speaker 2: that say when I ask something according to his will, 273 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:13,380 Speaker 2: he hears it and he will give it to me. 274 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 2: And yet I'm asking for something that I can't imagine 275 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:20,190 Speaker 2: how it might be outside of His will. And I 276 00:15:20,230 --> 00:15:22,390 Speaker 2: have checked my spirit and I know that it's not 277 00:15:22,430 --> 00:15:27,130 Speaker 2: sinful desire. How in the world does life where we 278 00:15:27,190 --> 00:15:32,610 Speaker 2: do experience unanswered prayer mesh with all of these Bible promises? 279 00:15:32,670 --> 00:15:34,570 Speaker 2: And so that's what I love about the prayer behind 280 00:15:34,610 --> 00:15:38,150 Speaker 2: the prayer or the Holy Spirit translating our prayers. So 281 00:15:38,170 --> 00:15:44,160 Speaker 2: I'm sure I've used this example before, but in 2020, 282 00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:46,360 Speaker 2: I prayed so hard that our family wouldn't get COVID. 283 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:51,280 Speaker 2: I prayed against COVID as if COVID was like the 284 00:15:51,320 --> 00:15:55,400 Speaker 2: demon lurking on my porch, trying to get in and 285 00:15:55,500 --> 00:16:01,200 Speaker 2: harm my family. And I prayed so fervently against that. 286 00:16:01,940 --> 00:16:03,660 Speaker 2: I don't believe that there was a demon of COVID, 287 00:16:03,710 --> 00:16:05,930 Speaker 2: but if there was, I was praying hard against it. 288 00:16:06,970 --> 00:16:07,950 Speaker 1: And we got COVID. 289 00:16:08,470 --> 00:16:14,120 Speaker 2: But what I realized was God still understood So in 290 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:18,100 Speaker 2: my case, I don't take this. Here's all of the 291 00:16:18,250 --> 00:16:21,410 Speaker 2: Band-Aids that people could give me that I disagree with. Well, 292 00:16:21,430 --> 00:16:22,290 Speaker 2: God answered your prayer. 293 00:16:22,330 --> 00:16:23,330 Speaker 1: He just answered no. 294 00:16:23,890 --> 00:16:26,830 Speaker 2: Okay, that doesn't gel with all the verses that say, 295 00:16:26,950 --> 00:16:29,530 Speaker 2: ask and you will receive. It doesn't say, ask and 296 00:16:29,550 --> 00:16:32,870 Speaker 2: you will receive, unless God's answer is no. It doesn't 297 00:16:32,970 --> 00:16:37,990 Speaker 2: gel with any of those. And then so other people 298 00:16:38,030 --> 00:16:41,830 Speaker 2: might say, well, God just knew what was best for 299 00:16:42,510 --> 00:16:44,860 Speaker 2: for your family. And so he chose a different way. 300 00:16:44,900 --> 00:16:47,040 Speaker 2: And I think that's getting a little closer. We see 301 00:16:47,060 --> 00:16:51,280 Speaker 2: that with Jesus, where he's praying for something specific, but 302 00:16:51,300 --> 00:16:54,200 Speaker 2: then he also adds, not my will, but your will 303 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:59,620 Speaker 2: be done. But honestly, it doesn't make a whole lot 304 00:16:59,660 --> 00:17:02,550 Speaker 2: of sense to me how my family getting a moderate 305 00:17:02,590 --> 00:17:06,970 Speaker 2: case of COVID does or doesn't impact God's kingdom in 306 00:17:07,030 --> 00:17:08,189 Speaker 2: many grand ways. 307 00:17:08,710 --> 00:17:09,410 Speaker 1: Do you know what I mean? 308 00:17:10,020 --> 00:17:13,480 Speaker 2: And so like, yes, it kind of makes sense, but 309 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:16,720 Speaker 2: it doesn't address it for me. So where I go 310 00:17:17,100 --> 00:17:21,410 Speaker 2: is God heard my prayer. Please don't let us get COVID. 311 00:17:22,450 --> 00:17:26,090 Speaker 2: God understood the prayer behind my prayer and the heart 312 00:17:26,130 --> 00:17:30,950 Speaker 2: behind my prayer, which was God, this disease sounds so scary. 313 00:17:30,970 --> 00:17:34,520 Speaker 2: And I want you to protect my family and make 314 00:17:34,580 --> 00:17:39,460 Speaker 2: sure we're all okay. And he absolutely answered that prayer. 315 00:17:40,450 --> 00:17:43,169 Speaker 2: And I think we could also add some arguments if 316 00:17:43,210 --> 00:17:46,530 Speaker 2: we wanted to. If I hadn't been praying so fervently, 317 00:17:46,609 --> 00:17:48,590 Speaker 2: maybe it would have been worse. We don't know that. 318 00:17:48,630 --> 00:17:52,440 Speaker 2: You can't make an argument that way. But I believe 319 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:55,760 Speaker 2: that God heard my prayer and I believe God answered 320 00:17:55,800 --> 00:18:01,020 Speaker 2: my prayer. He just answered the deeper heart behind that prayer. 321 00:18:02,180 --> 00:18:04,880 Speaker 3: Well, I want to take it even a step further 322 00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:09,639 Speaker 3: and give an example of a dear friend from Arizona 323 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:15,129 Speaker 3: who was just like an amazing person. She had a 324 00:18:15,150 --> 00:18:18,070 Speaker 3: massage therapy business that was more of a ministry than 325 00:18:18,109 --> 00:18:22,390 Speaker 3: a business. She was so just kindhearted and more than 326 00:18:22,450 --> 00:18:26,450 Speaker 3: just like physical help and healing. She just brought a 327 00:18:26,530 --> 00:18:31,379 Speaker 3: spiritual element to her business. She took over for the 328 00:18:31,420 --> 00:18:33,970 Speaker 3: children's ministry when I left as the lead at that 329 00:18:34,030 --> 00:18:38,290 Speaker 3: church when we moved to Alaska and was just an 330 00:18:38,330 --> 00:18:44,700 Speaker 3: incredible person in all ways. And she got cancer and 331 00:18:45,140 --> 00:18:48,580 Speaker 3: was treated. They thought it was gone. We felt like 332 00:18:48,619 --> 00:18:52,340 Speaker 3: it was, you know, miraculous healing and could very well 333 00:18:52,359 --> 00:18:52,700 Speaker 3: have been. 334 00:18:53,680 --> 00:18:54,550 Speaker 1: But then it came. 335 00:18:54,460 --> 00:18:58,159 Speaker 3: Back a couple of years later and She suffered for 336 00:18:58,180 --> 00:19:01,109 Speaker 3: a long time. And I still, I have one song 337 00:19:01,690 --> 00:19:05,350 Speaker 3: that was like my, like I would listen to that 338 00:19:05,369 --> 00:19:07,770 Speaker 3: song and I would pray it over her, pray over healing. 339 00:19:08,590 --> 00:19:12,149 Speaker 3: And every time I hear it, I tear up because 340 00:19:12,250 --> 00:19:13,530 Speaker 3: she ended up passing away. 341 00:19:13,770 --> 00:19:16,350 Speaker 1: And she was in her 30s. She had young children. 342 00:19:17,590 --> 00:19:22,830 Speaker 3: And I look at that and, you know, it's okay. 343 00:19:23,430 --> 00:19:26,170 Speaker 3: She had so many people praying for her for healing. 344 00:19:26,710 --> 00:19:30,770 Speaker 3: She had people laying hands on her. She was just 345 00:19:30,930 --> 00:19:34,609 Speaker 3: a gem, you know, not like it's great when anyone dies, 346 00:19:34,670 --> 00:19:36,390 Speaker 3: but there are a few people that you're just like, 347 00:19:36,510 --> 00:19:39,330 Speaker 3: you know, you're like, wow, she was doing so much 348 00:19:39,390 --> 00:19:44,260 Speaker 3: for God's kingdom and she passed away. And the heart 349 00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:48,620 Speaker 3: behind that prayer, I'm sure for her prayers, for all 350 00:19:48,640 --> 00:19:51,430 Speaker 3: of us praying for her, we selfishly. 351 00:19:51,040 --> 00:19:51,910 Speaker 1: Wanted her around. 352 00:19:51,930 --> 00:19:55,560 Speaker 3: But we also, we wanted God's work to go on. 353 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:57,879 Speaker 3: We wanted her children to be okay. We wanted her 354 00:19:57,960 --> 00:20:02,860 Speaker 3: husband to be okay. And she's healed. 355 00:20:03,100 --> 00:20:04,119 Speaker 1: I mean, she's in heaven. 356 00:20:04,140 --> 00:20:04,340 Speaker 2: She is 100%. 357 00:20:04,340 --> 00:20:12,609 Speaker 3: She was in so much pain toward the end. her testimony, 358 00:20:13,210 --> 00:20:15,609 Speaker 3: the way that she carried herself, the way that she, 359 00:20:16,210 --> 00:20:19,100 Speaker 3: you know, I think her motto was cancer sucks, but 360 00:20:19,140 --> 00:20:25,180 Speaker 3: God is good. And she just displayed, I remember watching 361 00:20:25,240 --> 00:20:31,520 Speaker 3: her Zoom memorial and she touched lives through her faith 362 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:32,500 Speaker 3: during that illness. 363 00:20:32,619 --> 00:20:33,159 Speaker 2: Yeah. 364 00:20:33,510 --> 00:20:38,149 Speaker 3: So anyway, all of that to say, you know, she 365 00:20:38,190 --> 00:20:41,370 Speaker 3: was not spared from cancer. Her family was not spared 366 00:20:41,609 --> 00:20:45,980 Speaker 3: losing their mom and their wife far too soon. And yet, 367 00:20:46,619 --> 00:20:50,400 Speaker 3: God continues to be faithful to them. And, you know, 368 00:20:50,420 --> 00:20:54,160 Speaker 3: I'm not sure where I'm going here other than God 369 00:20:54,240 --> 00:20:56,850 Speaker 3: heard our prayers. I know He did. And I know 370 00:20:56,890 --> 00:20:58,869 Speaker 3: that He was at work. And I know that His 371 00:20:58,910 --> 00:21:02,250 Speaker 3: purposes were accomplished. But it certainly wasn't what we wanted. 372 00:21:02,490 --> 00:21:08,100 Speaker 3: And there is certainly disappointment. There's final disappointment in receiving, basically— 373 00:21:08,530 --> 00:21:11,510 Speaker 3: someone dying that you had prayed so hard and so 374 00:21:11,570 --> 00:21:12,260 Speaker 3: fervently for. 375 00:21:12,280 --> 00:21:27,440 Speaker 2: And I think that that's what I love about the 376 00:21:27,560 --> 00:21:30,560 Speaker 2: parable of the persistent widow ending with that question, when 377 00:21:30,580 --> 00:21:32,700 Speaker 2: the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on 378 00:21:32,720 --> 00:21:35,400 Speaker 2: the earth? Are we still going to have faith even 379 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:38,970 Speaker 2: if we don't get why God apparently. 380 00:21:38,430 --> 00:21:39,169 Speaker 1: Let us down. 381 00:21:39,290 --> 00:21:42,590 Speaker 2: And even that wording sounds kind of sinful and blasphemous, 382 00:21:43,369 --> 00:21:47,010 Speaker 2: but human experience, I think a lot of people can 383 00:21:47,050 --> 00:21:49,730 Speaker 2: look back to at least something and a time in 384 00:21:49,750 --> 00:21:51,650 Speaker 2: their life where it felt like God let you down 385 00:21:51,670 --> 00:21:55,920 Speaker 2: and he's not supposed to do that. And so you 386 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:59,920 Speaker 2: do have to wrestle with that. And again, if every 387 00:22:00,020 --> 00:22:03,899 Speaker 2: prayer was answered neat and tidy, or if God came 388 00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:07,800 Speaker 2: down and sat you down face to face and explained 389 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:13,140 Speaker 2: why he took this young woman. And we wouldn't need 390 00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:16,340 Speaker 2: faith because it would all be tied up with that 391 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:21,000 Speaker 2: pretty little bow. And instead, we're left to wrestle. But 392 00:22:21,440 --> 00:22:24,300 Speaker 2: when it comes to the very specific question of how 393 00:22:24,340 --> 00:22:27,020 Speaker 2: do I know if it's time to let go of 394 00:22:27,060 --> 00:22:29,460 Speaker 2: a prayer, I'm going to not use the language of 395 00:22:29,520 --> 00:22:31,609 Speaker 2: how do I know that Jesus doesn't want to answer 396 00:22:31,619 --> 00:22:35,929 Speaker 2: my prayer, but how do I know If God is 397 00:22:36,030 --> 00:22:40,650 Speaker 2: releasing me or preparing me to either be released from 398 00:22:40,690 --> 00:22:44,260 Speaker 2: this burden or he's basically preparing my heart to not 399 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:49,040 Speaker 2: receive the answer I'm expecting. In a neat and tidy world, 400 00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:52,619 Speaker 2: I do have two tidier answers, but I want to 401 00:22:52,660 --> 00:22:54,810 Speaker 2: start with the caveat. It doesn't always work this way. 402 00:22:55,250 --> 00:22:58,010 Speaker 2: But sometimes what happens is you go into that prayer 403 00:22:58,050 --> 00:23:01,439 Speaker 2: closet and there is a block in your spirit. I 404 00:23:01,460 --> 00:23:04,600 Speaker 2: had a friend, again, in her 30s, young children, she 405 00:23:04,940 --> 00:23:07,960 Speaker 2: fell into a coma. I'm like, I'm praying this woman 406 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:10,500 Speaker 2: out of her coma. I was ready to go to 407 00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:15,100 Speaker 2: war for her. And I was ready to speak across 408 00:23:15,180 --> 00:23:19,940 Speaker 2: state lines and raise her up from her coma. And 409 00:23:20,530 --> 00:23:25,109 Speaker 2: within seconds of getting into my metaphorical prayer closet, I 410 00:23:25,670 --> 00:23:31,320 Speaker 2: was like, nope, that's not happening. And My spirit did 411 00:23:31,359 --> 00:23:36,119 Speaker 2: not allow me to wrestle in prayer with that. And 412 00:23:36,200 --> 00:23:40,560 Speaker 2: so I think sometimes we get a check in our heart. 413 00:23:41,700 --> 00:23:46,800 Speaker 2: And sometimes that might be an indication where God is 414 00:23:47,020 --> 00:23:51,600 Speaker 2: redirecting our prayers. I love when God redirects our prayers. 415 00:23:51,680 --> 00:23:54,590 Speaker 2: I think it's totally fine to start praying for something. 416 00:23:55,390 --> 00:23:58,500 Speaker 2: And then it just, you realize, oh, He's leading me 417 00:23:58,560 --> 00:24:02,219 Speaker 2: down a different route. That can also be an indication 418 00:24:02,280 --> 00:24:04,820 Speaker 2: of where He really wants you to be focusing your 419 00:24:04,859 --> 00:24:09,240 Speaker 2: prayer energy. And I think sometimes God will just kind 420 00:24:09,380 --> 00:24:12,910 Speaker 2: of put that halt in your spirit while you're praying, 421 00:24:12,950 --> 00:24:17,970 Speaker 2: before you start praying. Or sometimes He will divert your prayer, 422 00:24:17,990 --> 00:24:21,390 Speaker 2: and that can be a really good indication. So let's 423 00:24:21,430 --> 00:24:27,600 Speaker 2: say that you are praying because your tween daughter and 424 00:24:27,619 --> 00:24:29,850 Speaker 2: her best friend are in a big old fight and 425 00:24:29,890 --> 00:24:32,210 Speaker 2: you hate to see them fighting. So you're going to 426 00:24:32,270 --> 00:24:34,450 Speaker 2: go and you're going to pray their friendship back into 427 00:24:34,510 --> 00:24:38,690 Speaker 2: existence and back to full health. And you start praying 428 00:24:38,830 --> 00:24:42,459 Speaker 2: and you're praying fervently. And all of a sudden, your 429 00:24:42,500 --> 00:24:47,119 Speaker 2: prayers shift from, please help Sally and Emmy to be 430 00:24:47,160 --> 00:24:51,060 Speaker 2: best friends again, to please help Emmy to find really 431 00:24:51,200 --> 00:24:55,700 Speaker 2: great friends. who love her and appreciate her for who 432 00:24:55,760 --> 00:24:59,260 Speaker 2: she is, that's an indication that God is giving you 433 00:24:59,280 --> 00:25:03,170 Speaker 2: the prayer behind the prayer, right? The real prayer isn't 434 00:25:03,310 --> 00:25:07,929 Speaker 2: for this friendship to be restored. The actual prayer is 435 00:25:08,050 --> 00:25:10,929 Speaker 2: for her to be led toward better friends. So sometimes 436 00:25:10,990 --> 00:25:14,429 Speaker 2: God diverts our prayers. And actually, I just thought of 437 00:25:14,470 --> 00:25:19,560 Speaker 2: the third outcome that I believe also sometimes happens. Sometimes 438 00:25:19,700 --> 00:25:23,389 Speaker 2: while we pray, We might still be praying for the thing. 439 00:25:23,470 --> 00:25:28,609 Speaker 2: So maybe you're still praying for the house that you 440 00:25:28,650 --> 00:25:33,360 Speaker 2: really want to get sold. And you're just God, please, please, please, please, 441 00:25:33,500 --> 00:25:37,040 Speaker 2: please let this house get sold. And God's not giving 442 00:25:37,060 --> 00:25:38,859 Speaker 2: you a check in your spirit telling you not to 443 00:25:38,900 --> 00:25:42,639 Speaker 2: pray for that. And God's not redirecting your prayers telling 444 00:25:42,680 --> 00:25:44,840 Speaker 2: you to actually let's pray for a renter to come 445 00:25:44,880 --> 00:25:48,409 Speaker 2: and take the house or something. But instead, God is 446 00:25:48,570 --> 00:25:53,390 Speaker 2: preparing your heart. to be okay with it not selling 447 00:25:53,890 --> 00:25:56,389 Speaker 2: or to be okay with it not looking like the 448 00:25:56,490 --> 00:25:58,929 Speaker 2: answer you expect. It's like with a house sale. Maybe 449 00:25:58,950 --> 00:26:02,320 Speaker 2: you had a certain number in your head and you're like, 450 00:26:02,380 --> 00:26:04,300 Speaker 2: please let it sell for this much. And as you're 451 00:26:04,340 --> 00:26:07,560 Speaker 2: praying and praying and praying, maybe the work that God 452 00:26:07,619 --> 00:26:11,460 Speaker 2: is doing is more about changing your own desires and 453 00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:15,400 Speaker 2: preparing you to be okay. Or you're praying for perfect 454 00:26:15,840 --> 00:26:19,580 Speaker 2: healing and all of a sudden you find yourself just 455 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:23,980 Speaker 2: praying for comfort. Those, I think, are signs that the 456 00:26:24,040 --> 00:26:29,050 Speaker 2: Holy Spirit is redirecting your prayers. And I think those 457 00:26:29,710 --> 00:26:32,489 Speaker 2: can be followed. But honestly, sometimes you just pray for 458 00:26:32,530 --> 00:26:35,609 Speaker 2: something and none of those things happen. And it still 459 00:26:35,650 --> 00:26:39,530 Speaker 2: doesn't get answered the way you want to. And then 460 00:26:39,550 --> 00:26:44,120 Speaker 2: I think it's important to recognize that every prayer burden, 461 00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:46,720 Speaker 2: as far as my understanding goes, I don't know a 462 00:26:46,760 --> 00:26:49,719 Speaker 2: ton of the theology of intercession in heaven. I know 463 00:26:49,740 --> 00:26:54,710 Speaker 2: that Jesus intercedes for us. We see pictures in heaven 464 00:26:55,270 --> 00:26:57,609 Speaker 2: of the martyrs praying for the saints who are left 465 00:26:57,780 --> 00:27:02,480 Speaker 2: on earth. So it's not antithetical to scripture to believe 466 00:27:02,600 --> 00:27:05,740 Speaker 2: that people in heaven might still be praying for people 467 00:27:05,800 --> 00:27:07,720 Speaker 2: on earth, but we don't know if that's the case. 468 00:27:08,560 --> 00:27:12,730 Speaker 2: What I'm saying is, assuming, I mean, because we know 469 00:27:12,790 --> 00:27:14,590 Speaker 2: that eventually the earth is going to end anyway, like 470 00:27:14,630 --> 00:27:18,649 Speaker 2: eventually every prayer burden has an end, right? Prayer burdens 471 00:27:18,790 --> 00:27:22,900 Speaker 2: either end with the answer to the prayer. or the redirection, 472 00:27:23,180 --> 00:27:25,530 Speaker 2: or the person who's been giving the prayer burden, maybe 473 00:27:25,550 --> 00:27:27,910 Speaker 2: they die, and maybe in heaven, they don't pick that prayer. 474 00:27:27,730 --> 00:27:28,430 Speaker 1: Burden up again. 475 00:27:28,450 --> 00:27:32,830 Speaker 2: Or maybe that prayer burden just gets redirected. Or to 476 00:27:32,869 --> 00:27:35,070 Speaker 2: be quite honest, maybe you outgrow a prayer burden, and 477 00:27:35,109 --> 00:27:35,890 Speaker 2: that's okay too. 478 00:27:36,310 --> 00:27:38,850 Speaker 1: You know, it's not as if it's immoral to. 479 00:27:38,810 --> 00:27:41,710 Speaker 2: Have a sweater that you've loved for 10 years, and 480 00:27:41,730 --> 00:27:43,110 Speaker 2: then one day you're just like, no, I don't feel 481 00:27:43,130 --> 00:27:47,540 Speaker 2: like wearing this today, right? And sometimes we outgrow a 482 00:27:48,359 --> 00:27:52,010 Speaker 2: prayer burden. So if we think about prayer burdens, not 483 00:27:52,410 --> 00:27:55,369 Speaker 2: as a, it is a charge. I do believe that 484 00:27:55,410 --> 00:27:57,090 Speaker 2: there is a charge that God gives us when he 485 00:27:57,109 --> 00:27:59,390 Speaker 2: gives us a prayer burden. But when we think about 486 00:27:59,450 --> 00:28:02,200 Speaker 2: it as something that does have a beginning and an end, 487 00:28:02,920 --> 00:28:07,300 Speaker 2: that might help us to be more willing to release 488 00:28:07,359 --> 00:28:08,720 Speaker 2: that or to be redirected. 489 00:28:10,380 --> 00:28:14,560 Speaker 3: And I think when we view our prayer life less 490 00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:19,270 Speaker 3: like a beggar begging for God to throw us some 491 00:28:19,350 --> 00:28:23,470 Speaker 3: scraps than And more like a partnership, like God has 492 00:28:23,550 --> 00:28:27,870 Speaker 3: things that he's using me and my burdens and my 493 00:28:28,390 --> 00:28:33,440 Speaker 3: wants and my heart's desire to unleash God's power on 494 00:28:33,480 --> 00:28:35,820 Speaker 3: earth as it is in heaven, because he's chosen us 495 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:39,060 Speaker 3: as Christians to partner with him in bringing his will 496 00:28:39,620 --> 00:28:40,500 Speaker 3: here to come on earth. 497 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:41,600 Speaker 1: As it is in heaven through prayer. 498 00:28:42,120 --> 00:28:43,780 Speaker 3: And so if we think of it as a partnership 499 00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:46,620 Speaker 3: and as an organic thing that can ebb and flow 500 00:28:46,720 --> 00:28:52,430 Speaker 3: and grow and, you know, And not so rigid as like, okay, 501 00:28:52,610 --> 00:28:56,200 Speaker 3: vending machine item A. And then, you know what I mean? 502 00:28:56,560 --> 00:28:57,040 Speaker 1: Exactly. 503 00:28:57,220 --> 00:28:59,500 Speaker 3: I think there's so much fun and freedom in that. 504 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:01,220 Speaker 3: And I'm not saying that some of the things we've 505 00:29:01,260 --> 00:29:03,900 Speaker 3: talked about are fun because they're not. But I think 506 00:29:03,940 --> 00:29:07,340 Speaker 3: there's a just joy that comes in a partnership with 507 00:29:07,380 --> 00:29:09,820 Speaker 3: God when you look at it that way. And I 508 00:29:09,960 --> 00:29:11,800 Speaker 3: also think that there are a couple of categories of 509 00:29:11,840 --> 00:29:13,780 Speaker 3: things that I don't think you should ever stop praying 510 00:29:13,820 --> 00:29:15,940 Speaker 3: about as long as you feel led to. And I 511 00:29:15,980 --> 00:29:19,410 Speaker 3: think salvation of people you love. there's never an end 512 00:29:19,470 --> 00:29:21,050 Speaker 3: to that. I think just pray it and pray it 513 00:29:21,070 --> 00:29:24,230 Speaker 3: and pray it until maybe you feel, like you said, 514 00:29:24,290 --> 00:29:28,400 Speaker 3: there are certain people where I've had tremendous burdens to 515 00:29:28,440 --> 00:29:30,360 Speaker 3: pray for them for a period of time. And then 516 00:29:30,420 --> 00:29:32,800 Speaker 3: I just, it just, I haven't, other things have taken 517 00:29:32,860 --> 00:29:37,210 Speaker 3: precedence and I don't necessarily feel bad about that because 518 00:29:38,030 --> 00:29:40,280 Speaker 3: who's to say that that was the amount of prayer 519 00:29:40,320 --> 00:29:42,420 Speaker 3: I was supposed to put into it. Exactly. 520 00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:43,780 Speaker 1: At that time. 521 00:29:44,350 --> 00:29:46,960 Speaker 3: And not that we shouldn't just be open to God 522 00:29:46,980 --> 00:29:50,090 Speaker 3: bringing people to our minds again, but again, like rather than, 523 00:29:50,110 --> 00:29:52,190 Speaker 3: oh my goodness, this is a burden. If I don't 524 00:29:52,250 --> 00:29:55,110 Speaker 3: say this prayer three times a day, that person's going 525 00:29:55,430 --> 00:29:57,850 Speaker 3: to never come to Christ and it's all on me. 526 00:29:58,990 --> 00:30:01,410 Speaker 3: But to, again, just be more open to God's direction. 527 00:30:01,430 --> 00:30:06,060 Speaker 3: But I think of some of the top prayer burdens 528 00:30:06,120 --> 00:30:10,420 Speaker 3: of people are praying to find a partner for life, 529 00:30:11,020 --> 00:30:14,300 Speaker 3: praying for children if you are not able to have children. 530 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:19,440 Speaker 3: Those are things that they're so personal. And I think 531 00:30:20,020 --> 00:30:23,440 Speaker 3: we can't tell someone when to let that go or 532 00:30:23,660 --> 00:30:26,950 Speaker 3: hold on to it other than Again, like if it's 533 00:30:26,970 --> 00:30:29,390 Speaker 3: in your heart and you want it desperately, keep praying 534 00:30:29,450 --> 00:30:33,570 Speaker 3: for it until God gives you either a release or 535 00:30:34,210 --> 00:30:37,380 Speaker 3: it no longer becomes possible for that to happen or maybe, yeah. 536 00:30:38,020 --> 00:30:43,720 Speaker 2: And sometimes those prayer burdens are so painful that maybe 537 00:30:43,760 --> 00:30:48,020 Speaker 2: you do step away or you just say, God, this 538 00:30:48,160 --> 00:30:53,860 Speaker 2: is so hard. Let's take infertility. It can be too 539 00:30:53,920 --> 00:30:59,120 Speaker 2: much to persist in prayer. And so maybe eventually it 540 00:30:59,180 --> 00:31:03,340 Speaker 2: turns to just coming to God with exactly where you are. God, 541 00:31:03,500 --> 00:31:06,680 Speaker 2: I can't even get my hopes up to want this. 542 00:31:06,740 --> 00:31:09,240 Speaker 2: So I either need you to answer this or take 543 00:31:09,280 --> 00:31:12,000 Speaker 2: the desire away. I think that is an okay prayer. 544 00:31:13,640 --> 00:31:17,380 Speaker 2: Either grant me this desire or take the desire away 545 00:31:17,440 --> 00:31:22,590 Speaker 2: and replace it with something else. Because I cannot... persist 546 00:31:23,050 --> 00:31:27,630 Speaker 2: in this indefinitely. And it's okay to come to God 547 00:31:27,730 --> 00:31:32,640 Speaker 2: with those raw emotions. I think out of everything this 548 00:31:32,680 --> 00:31:36,660 Speaker 2: calendar year, I think my favorite episode we've done this 549 00:31:36,720 --> 00:31:38,940 Speaker 2: year has been the Fiddler on the Roof song about 550 00:31:39,020 --> 00:31:41,880 Speaker 2: if I were a rich man and how he starts 551 00:31:41,980 --> 00:31:44,900 Speaker 2: with just the frivolous desires of his heart. He wants 552 00:31:44,940 --> 00:31:47,020 Speaker 2: a wife with a double chin and a great big 553 00:31:47,060 --> 00:31:51,490 Speaker 2: staircase and really loud chickens. But The prayer behind the 554 00:31:51,530 --> 00:31:54,190 Speaker 2: prayer behind the prayer is so much deeper and so 555 00:31:54,230 --> 00:31:56,270 Speaker 2: much more profound. But he had to start with the 556 00:31:56,310 --> 00:32:00,020 Speaker 2: pretty silly stuff to get there. And not that these 557 00:32:00,220 --> 00:32:03,760 Speaker 2: deep-seated prayer burdens we have are silly. I'm just saying 558 00:32:03,780 --> 00:32:07,580 Speaker 2: that start with where you are. And it is wise 559 00:32:07,660 --> 00:32:10,810 Speaker 2: to ask God to direct your prayers. It's wise to say, God, 560 00:32:10,850 --> 00:32:12,270 Speaker 2: I don't even know if I'm supposed to be praying 561 00:32:12,290 --> 00:32:17,110 Speaker 2: for this anymore. If I'm not, change my burden for it. 562 00:32:17,690 --> 00:32:20,959 Speaker 3: Yeah. And I think one last thought that I had was, 563 00:32:21,380 --> 00:32:24,100 Speaker 3: don't be afraid if you're at the end. I remember 564 00:32:24,180 --> 00:32:27,880 Speaker 3: one time my mom had dementia and it was really, 565 00:32:27,920 --> 00:32:30,280 Speaker 3: really hard for my dad. And I was there helping 566 00:32:30,340 --> 00:32:31,180 Speaker 3: out for a little while. 567 00:32:31,780 --> 00:32:35,540 Speaker 1: And I just remember him saying, I'm prayed out. Like 568 00:32:35,720 --> 00:32:36,100 Speaker 1: I can't. 569 00:32:36,720 --> 00:32:40,090 Speaker 3: And so I prayed for him and for her and 570 00:32:40,920 --> 00:32:44,930 Speaker 3: with really tough stuff. And especially those disappointments that are 571 00:32:44,970 --> 00:32:48,530 Speaker 3: just disappointing day after day, week after week, year after year, 572 00:32:48,570 --> 00:32:52,370 Speaker 3: maybe decade after decade. Don't be afraid to recruit people 573 00:32:52,930 --> 00:32:55,840 Speaker 3: who are removed enough to have that strength to keep 574 00:32:55,880 --> 00:32:58,600 Speaker 3: praying and just say, will you take this on? 575 00:32:58,620 --> 00:33:01,600 Speaker 1: I can't anymore. Will you please take this on as. 576 00:33:01,520 --> 00:33:05,200 Speaker 3: Your prayer burden? And don't be afraid of that. That's 577 00:33:05,240 --> 00:33:08,280 Speaker 3: what we're here for. When one is weak, the others. 578 00:33:08,100 --> 00:33:09,520 Speaker 1: Are strong and vice versa. 579 00:33:09,620 --> 00:33:12,060 Speaker 3: Like we all, you know, it takes a village. 580 00:33:12,650 --> 00:33:16,530 Speaker 2: Yeah, there's the beautiful picture of Moses outstretching his arms, 581 00:33:16,690 --> 00:33:20,140 Speaker 2: praying for victory in battle. And his arms got tired. 582 00:33:21,160 --> 00:33:25,020 Speaker 2: Our prayer muscles get tired. And so we can come 583 00:33:25,060 --> 00:33:27,900 Speaker 2: to God with that, too. Or we can ask, you know, 584 00:33:27,940 --> 00:33:30,400 Speaker 2: Moses ended up having two people on either side of 585 00:33:30,460 --> 00:33:34,000 Speaker 2: him propping up his arms so that he could continue 586 00:33:34,040 --> 00:33:39,530 Speaker 2: to intercede for God's people. Yeah. Thank you so much 587 00:33:39,630 --> 00:33:43,490 Speaker 2: for sending in the question. And if you have topics 588 00:33:43,550 --> 00:33:46,250 Speaker 2: that would be something that you would love for us 589 00:33:46,310 --> 00:33:52,430 Speaker 2: to cover, you submit those at prayingchristianwomen.com slash questions. We 590 00:33:52,760 --> 00:33:56,180 Speaker 2: love hearing what's on your heart and being able to 591 00:33:56,220 --> 00:34:00,580 Speaker 2: just come together a little informally and chat about it. 592 00:34:00,700 --> 00:34:02,480 Speaker 2: So thank you so much. Is there anything else you 593 00:34:02,500 --> 00:34:03,040 Speaker 2: wanted to add? 594 00:34:03,060 --> 00:34:05,780 Speaker 1: No, I think that's it. All right. 595 00:34:05,820 --> 00:34:10,670 Speaker 2: Well, we hope that everyone listening has great perseverance and 596 00:34:10,710 --> 00:34:12,730 Speaker 2: joy in your prayers, and we'll. 597 00:34:12,570 --> 00:34:13,410 Speaker 1: See you all next time. 598 00:34:17,250 --> 00:34:19,129 Speaker 3: We'd like to take just a quick second to thank 599 00:34:19,150 --> 00:34:21,560 Speaker 3: the team at Life Audio for their partnership with us 600 00:34:21,620 --> 00:34:25,219 Speaker 3: on the podcast. If you go to lifeaudio.com, you will 601 00:34:25,260 --> 00:34:28,600 Speaker 3: find dozens of other faith-centered podcasts in their network. They've 602 00:34:28,620 --> 00:34:32,399 Speaker 3: got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and so much more. 603 00:34:32,920 --> 00:34:34,030 Speaker 1: That's lifeaudio.com.