THANK YOU, LORD, I THINK

But Jesus answered and said, 'You do not know what you are asking.' Matthew 20:22

This was Jesus' response to the mother of James and John when she asked the Lord to have her sons sit in control of the kingdom on Jesus’ right hand and left. This dear Jewish mother was proud of her boys and wanted only the best for them. It's just that she didn't consider all of the aspects involved in her prayer request.

But, isn't that true with all of our prayer requests? When we pray for a new job or a promotion, do we stop to think about the other people who won't get it if we do? When we pray for a loved one to be healed, do we remember that maybe the Lord has a lesson for them to learn from their illness or injury, or that maybe He has someone for them to witness to in the hospital? I am glad that my God is big enough to handle all of the details, and that He wants me to ask of Him what is on my heart. Yet, there is always more to a prayer than just my desire.

For many years, my wife and I prayed along with my daughter that the Lord would send just the right man to marry her. Eventually--in His time--He did just that. The ceremony was a joy. Then, at the reception, it hit me that for the first time in her life she would not be going home with us: she would leave with another man as her provider and protector. This came on me rather hard, and I thought, "Ouch, Lord, is this what I prayed for?" I hope no one saw me step outside for a minute...

Davy L. Troxel