Prayer Adjustments
I recently went on a week-long fishing trip. I enjoyed the chance to relax and connect with my buddies. But when I returned home, the degenerative aspects of my daughter’s disease seemed to have progressed dramatically. My wife told me she’d been falling asleep on the school bus. Now, I know a lot of kids fall asleep on the bus. But Shayla has always been overwhelmingly excited about school, including the ride there and back.
As I tucked Shayla into bed that evening, she was extremely lethargic. I asked if she’d missed me while I was away. She said she didn’t even know I was gone. Whenever I’ve been away for even a day, the first she’s always told me is how much she missed me.
I hugged Shayla and asked her if she wanted to say a prayer. She agreed. I said, “Why don’t you ask Jesus to heal you tonight?”
My daughter stared at me for several moments with an expression of complete confusion. I asked her what was wrong. She said, “Dad, there’s nothing wrong with me.”
“I know, honey,” I said. “But maybe you could just ask Him to help you walk.”
She continued to look confused. It suddenly hit me that she knows this is how she is, and she’s okay with it.
I knelt beside her bed and did my best to hide my pain as I prayed desperately for Jesus to heal my daughter and give her the quality of life she deserves.
After prayer time, I gave Shayla some tickles to try to lighten up the heavy mood. Then I tucked her in with kisses and hugs, telling her how special she is, just the way she is.
Shayla asked, “Can I say a little prayer now?” When I told her to go ahead, she prayed, “Jesus, please help my dad to feel better.” Shayla has always been more concerned about me and my feelings than about herself.
When I joined my wife in our bedroom, I told her what had happened. She said, “You’re confusing Shayla by asking her to pray for a healing she doesn’t understand.”
“I know. I just thought maybe if she did understand, God would heal her because of her strong faith.”
My wonderful wife touched my damp cheek and looked me in the eye. “Jesus said we all need to have faith like a child.”
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Shayla’s faith. It’s mine that needs constant adjustment. Instead of begging God for a miraculous physical healing for my daughter, I need to start praying that my faith in Him will become stronger and more childlike every day.