If I Pray, Will God Make Problems Stop?
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Often when people pray, God makes problems stop, but not always. A man in the Bible named Paul had a big problem. It might have been a painful physical problem. Whatever it was, Paul wanted to get rid of it. So he prayed–not once or twice, but three times! Each time, Paul asked God to take the problem away. (2 Corinthians 12:7-8)
God answered Paul's prayer, but not in the way you might think. God said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient [enough] for you, for my power is made
perfect in weakness"(2 Cor-inthians 12:9). Because God's strength shows up best in our weak areas, His answer to Paul was "no." He allowed Paul's problem to continue. God wanted to show His grace in Paul's life by giving him the strength to go through the problem.
God may take away your problem when you pray, but sometimes God wants to give you grace to go through it. He wants your life to bring honor and praise to Him. At times, that may be done best through suffering. As others see how God gives you strength to trust Him, they will praise Him. Maybe they will be encouraged to trust Him, too.
Used with Permission
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