Prayer in the Furnace: Finding Hope and Healing in Times of Suffering

My Prayer for the Furnace

All of us are only a phone call away from our life-changing forever. We will all face trials and suffering at some point in our lives. It is inevitable. But how do we navigate through these difficult times? What do we pray for when we find ourselves in the furnace of affliction?

Introduction

Thanksgiving morning in 2009 was a day that forever altered the course of my life. As I walked into our living room to give my youngest daughter, Norah, her bottle, little did I know that I was about to experience a life-threatening event. I suddenly woke up in the hospital, having suffered a brain seizure. The diagnosis was grave - a primary brain tumor, with a prognosis of only a few years to live.

During this season of uncertainty and fear, I discovered that my Christian friends fell into two distinct camps. The first camp emphasized praying for the will of God, seeking His guidance and surrendering to His plan. The second camp held firmly to the belief that if I had enough faith and truly believed in God's healing power, I would be miraculously healed.

These two camps often seemed at odds with each other, but as I journeyed through the furnace of affliction, I realized that they could actually complement each other in ways we may not fully grasp.

The Will of God

When faced with trials and suffering, it is natural to wonder about God's will. What is His plan in all of this? How do we align ourselves with His purposes?

During my own journey, I found solace in the words of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. As He faced the impending crucifixion, Jesus prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done" (Luke 22:42). In this moment, Jesus demonstrated perfect submission to the will of His Father, even in the midst of tremendous suffering.

Praying for the will of God does not mean we passively resign ourselves to our circumstances. Rather, it is an expression of trust and surrender. It is acknowledging that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His plans are perfect, even if they are difficult for us to understand in the moment.

As we pray for the will of God, we can find comfort in knowing that He is with us in the furnace. The prophet Isaiah reminds us, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you" (Isaiah 43:2). God's presence sustains us and gives us hope, even in the most challenging of circumstances.

Faith and Healing

The second camp of believers emphasizes the power of faith and the possibility of miraculous healing. They encourage us to believe that God can and will heal us if we have enough faith. While this perspective may seem overly simplistic or even insensitive to those who have not experienced physical healing, there is truth to be found in their emphasis on faith.

Jesus Himself often commended individuals for their faith and attributed their healing to their belief in Him. In Matthew 9:22, Jesus tells a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And in Mark 10:52, Jesus says to a blind man, "Go your way; your faith has made you well."

These instances remind us that faith plays a significant role in our healing, both physically and spiritually. It is not a guarantee that we will be miraculously cured of our ailments, but it is a powerful tool that can bring us closer to God and deepen our trust in Him.

As we walk through the furnace of affliction, our faith can be a light in the darkness. It can sustain us when all seems lost and give us the strength to endure. It is not about the size of our faith, but the object of our faith - a loving and faithful God who is with us every step of the way.

A Prayer for the Furnace

So, what do we pray for when we find ourselves in the furnace of affliction? How do we reconcile the desire for God's will and the fervent belief in His healing power?

Perhaps the answer lies in the example set by Jesus Himself. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for the cup of suffering to be removed from Him, yet ultimately surrendered to the will of His Father. It was in His acceptance of God's plan that Jesus found the strength to endure the cross.

Therefore, our prayer for the furnace can be a combination of surrender and faith. We can pray for healing, knowing that God has the power to do miracles. We can ask Him to remove the cup of suffering, just as Jesus did. But above all, we can surrender our will to His, trusting that His plan is perfect, even if it includes pain and hardship.

In our prayer for the furnace, we can also draw inspiration from the psalmist David. In Psalm 143:7, David cries out, "Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit." David's prayer is one of desperation and urgency, echoing the cries of our own hearts when we find ourselves in the midst of trials.

But David does not stop there. He goes on to say in verse 8, "Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." David's prayer is not just a desperate plea for deliverance; it is a declaration of trust and dependence on God's unfailing love.

When we pray for the furnace, we can follow David's example and pour out our hearts to God. We can express our fears, our doubts, and our pain. We can ask for guidance and clarity in the midst of our suffering. And we can cling to the promise of God's steadfast love, knowing that He will never leave us or forsake us.

Conclusion

In the furnace of affliction, our prayers may be filled with a mix of surrender, faith, and desperation. We may long for healing, yet also acknowledge that God's ways are higher than our own. We may cry out for deliverance, yet also trust in His unfailing love.

As we journey through the challenges of this year and the future, let us hold on to the truth that God is with us in the furnace. He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). He walks beside us, carrying us when we cannot walk on our own.

So, when you find yourself in the furnace of affliction, remember to pray for the will of God, knowing that His ways are perfect. Pray with faith, believing that God can do miracles. And pray with desperation, pouring out your heart to the One who hears and answers.

May this prayer for the furnace be a source of comfort and strength as you navigate the challenges of life. May it remind you that you are not alone, and that God is working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28). And may it lead you to a deeper relationship with the One who holds you in His loving hands.