My son Pres was going through a humiliating experience brought about by spineless men who pretended to exemplify the Christian life. They sang in the choir and took up the offering and served as deacons. Preposterous! It was so unfair, so wrong! And we were helpless to come against their proud, worldly authority.

I prayed: Lord, if You can alter Your plans for this loved one without hindering Your sovereign purpose for his life, I humbly ask You to do so.

He didn't alter the plans. The circumstances were not changed. You see, Gods plans for Pres were far deeper than mine. He was building Christlike character. My plan was to protect my son from disappointment and pain and preserve his world-system image.

I am slowly coming to see the audacity of my approaching the Lord and even suggesting my plan. If you study the prayers of Paul you'll find that he did not pray that the circumstances of His people might be changed, but that they might be victorious in the circumstances.

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It was a turn of events from the Lord that He might establish His word. . . .
1 Kings 12:15

"This thing has come from Me." So they listened to the word of the Lord, and returned and went their way . . .
1 Kings 12:24

The hand of the Lord has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it . . . that they may see and recognize and consider and gain insight . . .
Isaiah 41:20

I am God and there is no other; I am God and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, "My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure."
Isaiah 46:9,10

Lord, I do not know what to ask.

Thank You that You know what to give.