FAITH, MORE OR LESS

Luke 17:6 says, "The Master said, "You don't need more faith.  There is no "more" or "less" faith."


"Faith is or is not, it's not something that can be measured.  Nor should it be measured by who has and who has not received an answer to his or her prayers.  When two people pray for the same or similar things yet are praying for two different people, the outcome of those  prayers probably has nothing to do with faith but with the circumstances which surround each person being prayed for.  Therefore, when someone asks, "Why did God answer your prayer and not mine?  Didn't I have enough faith?",  the answer should be, "I'm sure your faith is no different than mine.  Perhaps, the circumstances surrounding your loved one are different than for mine.  Don't stop praying!"


"This happened to me years ago and I didn't have an answer at that time, and the woman was devastated that her prayer was not answered. My comfort for her was not received.  Her heart was broken.


"God, I think you have given me the answer now.  I pray that person has the answer, too, and that her prayers were answered, as you saw fit.  Bless us all in our struggles to be more like you.  Thank you for blessing us even as we struggle.  Amen."


This was some time ago and was a hard experience for me. I could not be of comfort to this woman. Yet I was grateful to God for saying "yes" to my prayer request.  I could not know at the time that God's answer to me was only temporary. My daughter did finally divorce, and we all lived through it.  It was the best thing for them both, and they are happily not married today. The two are friends and are happy for each other.


God, thank you for the wisdom you bring us sometimes during hardship.  Thank you for reconciliation and forgiveness.  Thank you for the truest measure of love, loving the one who seems like an enemy. Now, be with my friends who read this post.  Thank you, and Amen.


Jo INMN