Great Commission Churches

November 2008

Dear Sisters,

Over the past few months, I've spoken to a number of women who have expressed great concern over recent events in our country. The downturn in the economy and its effects on our families and churches; the presidential election; the abortion issue; the attempts to redefine marriage--these are some of the issues that can create anxiety in the hearts of Christians. As believers in the Lord Jesus, we have prayed for God's will to be done. But when we watch the news, at times it can seem as if God has been deaf to our prayers.

Several weeks ago, I called Mardean Martindale and talked to her about these issues. The faith and wisdom that she shared in our phone conversation were so encouraging to me that I asked her to write down her thoughts. I think you will be extremely blessed by her words. As Mardean has often quoted: "So that your trust may be in the Lord, I have taught you today, even you." Proverbs 22:19

In Christ,
Sandy Hopler

What Happens When God Doesn't Answer Prayer Like We Want?

By Mardean Martindale

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28).

God sees the bigger picture. He sees the beginning to the end. He knows what will accomplish His purposes.

Herschel often tells the story of how his mother prayed that Herschel wouldn't re-enlist and go back into the Army for a second time. His first stint in the service was straight after his high school graduation. He had started drinking alcohol quite heavily and not living as she thought he should. Later, he went on to college and graduated in three years, but continued in a wrong lifestyle. He could have gone into the Reserves, but he was offered the opportunity to re-enlist and go to the Navy School of Music to join the Fourth Army Band. Herschel's mother started praying he wouldn't re-enlist and be part of the Reserves instead. He did re-enlist, but it was while he was at the Navy School of Music that he became a Christian, and his life was transformed. Because the Korean War had broken out, if Herschel had stayed in the Reserves, he would have been drafted with the rest of his unit. Almost his entire unit was sent to Korea and most were killed. God spared Herschel's life and transformed the rest of his life.

Herschel's mother's prayers were answered, but not the way she expected. That's why we need to pray according to HIS will! God knows the future, and we don't. When God revealed to Hezekiah that he would die, he pleaded with God to spare his life. God did. In the 15 years that followed, Manasseh was born, became king, and it was a tragedy!

We are concerned to see our nation turn to God. The economy is bad, and it seems like things are not going as we feel they should. God knows what it takes to turn His people back to Him. God can answer our prayers and yet send leanness to our souls! God wants His people to humble themselves before Him and recognize Him as who He is, but only He knows what will accomplish that. We pray for our children. We pray for our nation. We pray for our leaders. But sometimes, God answers differently than what we expect or even want.

We planned to go to Chile as missionaries. We sold all we had, including our car. Herschel took the Wycliffe course and went on to Dallas Theological Seminary. Then, we were rejected for lack of experience! We wondered why, when we were trying to obey God in reaching His world. God knew what He wanted to do in our lives and changed our plans. Of course, God knows best, but it's easier to see later than at the time. More people turn to God through trials than through blessing. God so often blessed Israel, but they would then turn back to idols. God would have to punish them and restoration happened. Will not the God of all the earth do what is right? He wants us to humble ourselves before Him and intercede for our mates, children, church, and nation. Above all, God desires our fellowship, for that is one reason He created mankind in the first place. Is God interested in politics? We may think our future is determined by the Republican or Democratic Party, but God says, "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases." (Prov. 21:1) We can and must trust Him.