I have heard your prayer,

I have seen your tears.

Behold,

     I will heal you.

               2 Kings 20. 5

(When we approach God

in our pain

       or with our burdens,

God always answers,

    in one way or another,

sometimes not in the way

              we designate

              or would choose,

sometimes in ways

        that astonish us,

sometimes in mystery.

But always for His

           profound purposes,

always for His glory.

Even in sickness and death,

       God redeems

to draw us closer

and point others to Him.

Am I willing to let

          God use this,

even what I don't understand?)

O LORD,

We come to You,

not just in our afflictions

             and troubles,

not just for an answer

         of our own choosing,

but to seek You.

We choose to follow You,

even in the complexities of life,

even in the really hard places,

even when all we can do

          is trust You.

You have given each of us

a story

to bring You glory

and reveal Yourself.

When we walk fully with You,

we become aware

          of Your hand

in impossible ways.

Please help us to not

      explain away Your hand,

ignore Your response,

or miss You in this.

Unfold the power of Your Presence,

Your mighty testimony,

even in the ordinary,

  which is never so ordinary at all.