How to walk 5: When do we stop praying?
By Elizabeth Starr
I totally get why people pray for healing for people when they've had a life-threatening illness, especially when the person has not been able to speak for themselves and it falls to everyone they know to spread the word in praying for them. I find it very moving to think about all the people in the world who have prayed for me without knowing me. But when do we stop praying for healing for someone once it's been established that the person is going to have a lifelong disability? Especially if they have accepted that fact and are okay with it? Maybe it just wouldn't occur to able-bodied people that someone might be okay with being disabled? Maybe they just haven't asked?
I personally don't really like the idea of being the centre of attention and the idea of being singled out in people's prayers. If people still want to pray for me, I'd probably ask them to pray for God using me in my career, not that God will restore me to an able-body. If asked, I'd say I've always prayed that God's will be done in my life, and I know God can use me whatever my body looks like!
I don't want to just get rid of the bad things. I want to learn from them and become stronger because of them. And if that means a disabled body, I believe in a God who can use that.
Questions to ask yourself:
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Am I praying for what someone wants, or what I think they should want?
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Am I praying for God's will in my life, whatever that looks like?
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