How Do I Pray Now Since the Miracle Didn't HappenSample

-  Stop trying to understand

After the thief, the one who came to steal, kill, and destroy, had been exposed, I continued to pray for my mom night and day. But on February 6, 2006, I lost my mom. I was heartbroken. "Did God not come through for my mom and me? What do I do now? Do I quit praying for others? How would I continue to pray for others when the miracle didn't come?" I wrestled with God. Well-meaning people were more than happy to help me understand. But God, how could I even begin to pray for any kind of miracle again?

Most of us try to understand what happened. We derive our own explanation and, with the very best intentions, share it with those who have experienced profound loss – like it is somehow going to make it all better:

• It was just their time to go.
• God needed them more than you do.
• God just said, "No."
• God always takes the best. He gives and takes away.
• In time, everything will be okay.

But none of this is helpful to a hurting soul. It certainly gave me no comfort.

How then are we to respond? How do we explain it?

We cannot try to make sense of it. When we try to explain it, we put limits on God. Let us surrender the need to understand and explain the outcome because we do not know. Resist the urge to develop your own theology from your hurt and loss. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us not to even lean on our own understanding. There is something BETTER than knowledge. It's the peace of God that guards the heart and mind!