I wrote a short article for a local Christian 'youth' magazine late last night, about 'Big Question' prayers. Here's a preview...
“Why can’t I always feel you God?”
“Why don’t my prayers get answered?”
“Why do we suffer and why don’t you help?”
These are just three out of hundreds of ‘Big Question’ prayers that were scribbled onto torn up pieces of cardboard by students in Prayer Spaces in one of Havering’s secondary schools over the past year.
These are brutally honest prayers. They’re not full of religious jargon or endless Bible verses, they’re blunt and to-the-point. They’re angry and painful, frustrated and fearful. They’re probably not the sort of prayers we get to hear during Sunday services, but I think God’s OK with these prayers. I think God welcomes them.
For example, the Bible is full of these ‘Big Question’ prayers. Moses and Abraham and Jeremiah and Job pray them. And read some of David’s Psalms! His are full-on!
And then there’s Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, most likely knowing that he is about to be arrested and crucified the following day. Jesus is on his own - his friends have all fallen asleep - and he prays an amazing prayer; “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me.” (Mark 14v36, NIV)
“Surely there’s another way? You’re God! Why do I have to do this?” This is the ‘Biggest Question’, isn’t it? “How can a God of love and power allow suffering?”
Like many of our prayers, Jesus’ aren’t answered. Not in the way that he hoped anyway, and perhaps that’s important. Although God doesn’t give the answer that Jesus is hoping for, God gives something even better... God gives himself.
And then, although the situation doesn’t change, Jesus does change. Jesus receives grace from God’s Spirit, and the courage to say these incredible words, “yet not my will but yours be done”. Or to put it another way, “I trust you.”
So, how about it... find some space on your own, or find some friends you trust, and talk to God. Tell God what’s really going on inside you. Pray your ‘Big Questions’ in whatever way works for you. And whether you get the answers you want or not, God will surely give you himself.
“Why don’t my prayers get answered?”
“Why do we suffer and why don’t you help?”
These are just three out of hundreds of ‘Big Question’ prayers that were scribbled onto torn up pieces of cardboard by students in Prayer Spaces in one of Havering’s secondary schools over the past year.
These are brutally honest prayers. They’re not full of religious jargon or endless Bible verses, they’re blunt and to-the-point. They’re angry and painful, frustrated and fearful. They’re probably not the sort of prayers we get to hear during Sunday services, but I think God’s OK with these prayers. I think God welcomes them.
For example, the Bible is full of these ‘Big Question’ prayers. Moses and Abraham and Jeremiah and Job pray them. And read some of David’s Psalms! His are full-on!
And then there’s Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, most likely knowing that he is about to be arrested and crucified the following day. Jesus is on his own - his friends have all fallen asleep - and he prays an amazing prayer; “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me.” (Mark 14v36, NIV)
“Surely there’s another way? You’re God! Why do I have to do this?” This is the ‘Biggest Question’, isn’t it? “How can a God of love and power allow suffering?”
Like many of our prayers, Jesus’ aren’t answered. Not in the way that he hoped anyway, and perhaps that’s important. Although God doesn’t give the answer that Jesus is hoping for, God gives something even better... God gives himself.
And then, although the situation doesn’t change, Jesus does change. Jesus receives grace from God’s Spirit, and the courage to say these incredible words, “yet not my will but yours be done”. Or to put it another way, “I trust you.”
So, how about it... find some space on your own, or find some friends you trust, and talk to God. Tell God what’s really going on inside you. Pray your ‘Big Questions’ in whatever way works for you. And whether you get the answers you want or not, God will surely give you himself.
"The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace." (Matthew 6, The Message)
Thanks Phil. Am struggling with some big questions myself at the moment and this really helped. Sx
Posted by: Steve Whitehouse | Friday, 24 September 2010 at 05:56 PM