We have been blessed with two grandchildren–both are still under the age of two. In my prayers for them, I ask for God’s blessings for them in every way I can think of. Recently, I thought of a new blessing to pray for them, but I changed my mind.
Our family is like many others in that we seem to all have poor eyesight–nothing serious–we’re all just near-sighted. I decided to pray that my grandchildren would break out of this trend of their parents and grandparents, and be blessed with perfect vision. If they didn’t have to spend time and money on glasses, contacts, and laser surgery, they would have that much more time for other things throughout their lives, and they would be more comfortable.
However, God put on my mind the words of Christ on the Mount of Olives, as he faced a much more severe situation than any of us ever will. Luke 22:42 says, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
So, I didn’t pray that my grandchildren would have perfect vision. Instead, I prayed that God’s will would be done in their lives. Each of us will face our own particular set of problems throughout our lives–issues with health, family, finances, etc. As we ask God to help us work through our troubles, He will. However, He will do it in the way that He chooses, and we should pray that the final outcome brings glory to God, not that we will be more comfortable through our struggles. He will enable us to overcome our trials, and He might even let us struggle with a few problems so that we can learn, and remain humble. If bringing the ultimate glory to God means that He wants to bless our grandchildren through poor eyesight, then so be it.
I also find myself sometimes praying for what I think is best for my family, friends and myself. I will catch myself rambling and then realize that I simply need to ask God for his will to be done. This seems to be how Jesus taught us to pray. So God not my will but yours be done. Amen