There are times in our journey toward heaven when we encounter situations when we especially need the Lord’s help but we do not know what to ask for in prayer. Perhaps we have blurred vision concerning the best way forward. We wonder if we have made a wrong turn on the road of life. Perhaps the Lord is punishing us for some sinful act we unwittingly did. Whatever the reason, all we know for sure is that we require divine help in a hurry.
How do we pray when we don’t know what to ask for? Well, the sisters of Lazarus found themselves in just such a situation. Their beloved brother Lazarus was deathly ill. They knew that everyone has an appointed time to die (Job 14:14; Hebrews 9:27). What they were unsure of was the matter of whether this was Lazarus’ time to die. Should the sisters ask that Lazarus get well? Should they ask for a painless death? They did not have an answer for the questions they faced as they were confronted by their beloved brother’s health crisis. So they sent a message without asking for anything. All they did was inform their Master of the problem. Note how tenderly they couched the truth they faced. They did not say their brother was ill. Nor did they say that Lazarus was ill. They did not say one they loved was ill. Rather they said that the one Jesus loved was ill.
Nothing touches our hearts so powerfully as the pain of someone we love. The sisters wisely worded the statement of fact in such a way as to get a strong response from the Master. Just as the sisters did not ask for anything, so we sometimes need to leave the outcome to our problem in the hands that bear the scars of love. Sometimes just quietly telling our beloved Saviour we have an urgent problem is all we can or should do.
We have the assurance that just as the messengers took the sisters’ message to Jesus, so the Holy Spirit takes our needs to the Father BUT the Holy Spirit not only states the problem, He calls for a specific solution.
Let us leave the future in the hands of our great God and Saviour. As we lack a request in times of trouble let us be assured the Holy Spirit knows and plans our way forward.
So, confused believer, come to the courts of heaven, state your issue and leave its solution to the One Who loves you, Who died and rose again for you. He shall never allow any problem to overcome you. As the “apple of His eye” you will be gently, powerfully protected. You shall ultimately be brought home to the Celestial City to enjoy the immediate presence of our glorious Saviour. Our vision is blurred, but His is crystal clear and that is all that matters.
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
And make me love Thee as I ought to love.
Hast Thou not bid me love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind.
I see Thy cross; there teach my heart to cling:
Oh, let me seek Thee, and, oh, let me find!
Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.
Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame;
The kindling of the heav’n-descended Dove,
My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame
-George Croly
