When it comes to trusting what God gives us, we can be left with questions about why God answers some of our prayers and not others. Our challenge to trust how God answers our prayers is built on our trust of who God is.
Tim Keller imagines the scenario of giving a 5-year old child Aladdin’s lamp. There is no way you want to be anywhere near a 5-year old with Aladdin’s lamp – could you imagine the kind of things they would wish into existence?
Or a 10-year old – would that be any better? You would end up with a spoiled brat hocked up on a never-ending sugar overload?
A 15-year old presents an even more scary prospect. And at what point, once we become an adult, would we be ready to wield such power – 25? 35? 55? 75?
There’s a scene in the movie, Bruce Almighty, when Bruce is given the powers of God for a day and he has to deal with all these prayer requests. He tries to simplify the process by replying 'Yes' to all the requests. But then riots break out across the city because so many people won the lottery that they only shared $17 each.
What if we had a genie instead of a Father – instead of a Wise and Good King!!!
We need to be able to see God as our Father, who refuses to spoil us or let us get whatever we demand and want because He knows best. We can only truly pray, ‘give us this day our daily bread’ if we have the humility to trust and be content in the wisdom and ways of God – ‘Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.”
We can’t really begin to ask God for things unless we are content with the wisdom and ways of God. When we are content to trust God's wisdom and timing, we can find contentment in how He answers our prayers.
Tim Keller imagines the scenario of giving a 5-year old child Aladdin’s lamp. There is no way you want to be anywhere near a 5-year old with Aladdin’s lamp – could you imagine the kind of things they would wish into existence?
Or a 10-year old – would that be any better? You would end up with a spoiled brat hocked up on a never-ending sugar overload?
A 15-year old presents an even more scary prospect. And at what point, once we become an adult, would we be ready to wield such power – 25? 35? 55? 75?
There’s a scene in the movie, Bruce Almighty, when Bruce is given the powers of God for a day and he has to deal with all these prayer requests. He tries to simplify the process by replying 'Yes' to all the requests. But then riots break out across the city because so many people won the lottery that they only shared $17 each.
What if we had a genie instead of a Father – instead of a Wise and Good King!!!
We need to be able to see God as our Father, who refuses to spoil us or let us get whatever we demand and want because He knows best. We can only truly pray, ‘give us this day our daily bread’ if we have the humility to trust and be content in the wisdom and ways of God – ‘Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.”
We can’t really begin to ask God for things unless we are content with the wisdom and ways of God. When we are content to trust God's wisdom and timing, we can find contentment in how He answers our prayers.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
- Are there times you question how God answers your prayers? Is there a specific pattern or theme to these questions?
- Why is it important to be able to pray 'Your will be Done' before 'Give us our daily bread'?
- How does Keller's picture of a child wielding Aladdin's lamp lead you to pray?
This is based on a popular parable. There are many versions and re-tellings around, each with a slightly different nuance.