Dear Friends,
Super Bowl Fifty-One (LI) was played at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, February 5, 2017. More than 71,000 fans had seats to the game, while an estimated 111.3 million watched on television. How many in that audience, do you suppose, were praying for the Atlanta Falcons to win? How many New England Patriot fans—after New England scored an unanswered 31 points to win in overtime—do you think walked away believing God had answered their prayers? How many Falcon fans felt God had let them down?
Although it may seem heresy to some, we don’t think that God intervenes in football games. He probably doesn’t cause all the traffic lights to stay green for his people who pray as they race to appointments, and you probably would have found those keys you lost without the Lord’s intervention. But there is nothing wrong with thanking God for the outcome.
But what about those dear souls who love the Lord, who believe in his promises, but who wait in tears for years for God to respond? Why does God answer some people’s prayers and seem to not answer the prayers of others? We don’t know.
We have a dear friend who was severely injured in an automobile accident. She loves God and continually prays for relief from the pain she has carried for years. She might read Psalm thirty-four below and pray, “Why not me, Lord? What more do I have to do to be considered righteous?”
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:17-18 (NIV)
Of course, well-meaning friends will say, “Look at Romans 8:28” (And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.). Personally, we have a hard time seeing the good or the purpose in her suffering. We know, in faith, that we must trust the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding. Still, we try to understand.
Perhaps her purpose is to show others what real faith looks like. Despite her pain, our friend has remained kind, loving, and faithful. We remain frustrated … but hopeful.
It’s easy to be a Christian when your team is winning the big game, when the traffic lights are all stuck on green, and when all your prayers seemingly are being answered. It’s something else altogether when life challenges you to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3
As we pray with our friend, we don’t want her to have to persevere; we want her to find the product of her hope and be healed: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31.
We are impatient for her prayers —and our prayers for her— to be answered. Nevertheless, we look in faith to that great day when all suffering will end. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4
Our friend’s name is Cindy; please pray for her.
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Leave it to a guy to write about the Super Bowl on Mother’s Day weekend.
Happy Mother’s Day
Because He Loves Us Press 