“Lord, bigyan mo kami ng problema.” The first time I said that prayer was in 2009 during a prayer for empowerment for the team that was assigned to handle the Holy Triduum preparations of our prayer community. Naturally, my team was surprised about that prayer because they expected me, as the team leader of the service team, to ask the Lord to bless us so that everything would fall into place, that the event would go smoothly, and so on. After all this was not an easy service, and it involved tremendous amount of preparation and coordination, with many moving parts. The odds of a foul up were stacked against us. And then this was my prayer: “Give us problems, Lord.”
Of course, I didn’t mean it as a curse, but more as an invitation to “bring it on”. No, I was not beating my chest in confidence thinking that we could overcome any and all adversities. Rather, God knew that my prayer was an invitation for Him to demonstrate HIS power. I sincerely believed and expected that God, Himself, would be the One victorious even in the work that He assigned us to do. I prayed that we would have the chance to bear witness to the power of God at work in us and through us: ringside, front and center!
I figured that if things went smoothly, then we would probably not feel compelled to come down on our knees often enough, and that we would depend on our capabilities and our competences, rather than on God’s sovereign power. I would rather encounter problems and fall on my knees and ask God’s help, than not to have any problems at all, do very well, and feel that I was successful on my own. Jesus said, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Matt 16:26).
Yes, I know I’m a bit of an oddball in my faith prayers. But I’m blessed with a community of brothers and sisters who love me and accept my neuroses with openness and grace. Yes, I continue to pray in that way, and people kinda expect that I would. And yes, God has been gracious, for there have been many a storm He has calmed. Hallelujah!
I actually wrote about this already several years ago: “Self-Sufficiency’s Danger Signs“. The reason I write about it again now is because, guess what, I recently discovered that I’m not alone in this kind of prayer! As if God was winking at me and saying, “Eddie, look!” He pointed me to a short video of a pastor preaching and explaining why it is good that we should pray to have problems. May I invite you to watch this short video (2:40 only) featuring Pastor David Jeremiah who says that problems are critical to grow our faith: GROWING IN FAITH. Kitam.
May you and I grow in faith as we see God move in the storms of our lives.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Thank you for reminding me to depend on God in all things and to see problems as windows “to bear witness to the power of God at work in us and through us: ringside, front and center! “
The best seat in town, Danie. The Lord is my shepherd; even though we walk in the dark valley … He leads us.
Total dependency on God and His provision – “Bahala ka na, Lord!”
May you have the faith to keep you afloat walking on water with the Lord, Ariel.
Lord, may You lead us into problems that then will lead us to You. Amen!
I like this prayer, Ramil. Amen to that.
Sometimes God gives us storms , so that we can see Him walk on water!
Front row, center, Vina!! God would only delight in being seen at work!
I still remembered that prayer of yours, Tito Eddie, and, of course, challenges did come our way.😃 But your prayer enabled us to look at those challenges through the eyes of faith and allowed us to serve our brothers and sisters in a renewed sense of dependence on the Lord and in a deeper experience of loving service. Praying to have problems is an invitation to join my savior in saying, “ My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
This is “praying according to God’s will”, Au.
… to rely on the God who does not disappoint
https://youtu.be/WZdf5BIqIHI
Thanks for this reminder. While reading it, I remember what St. Paul wrote in 2Cor 12 about what God told him about suffering, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”
During this pandemic, we are all faced with our weaknesses, limitations and helplessnesses. It is at this time that we should all the more boast of who God is. Bear our crosses and ask His grace to manifest His glory through us.
Amen po..Remembering all your words of encouragement and prayers to us before Sir..we really miss devotion in the branch,retreats and encountering with God.Even we encountered hardship and struggles in work we still felt that God is with us .He always embracing us like what you’ve done to us before..Praying someday or soon you will come back to us to strengthened our weak spirit and soul.🙏