EXPLORING GOOD FRIDAY

Why aren’t my prayers being answered?

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” - Matthew 27:46


On Good Friday, we witness a third unanswered prayer - perhaps the most agonizing of them all. Nail to a cross and slowly suffocating, the Son cried out to the Father: "Why have you forsaken me?"And there was no response from heaven. No dove descending. No booming voice. No answer to prove the question wrong.


Day 17: Tough Life


Pause

“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” - Psalm 18:28-29


Reflect

  • Bible: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

  • Book: “Perhaps we should accept what older people and poor people and many of those with disabilities already know: things are probably going to be very difficult today, and just as hard tomorrow. Maybe, by adjusting our expectations, we can reduce the sense of disappointment, isolation, and unfairness riding on the back of unanswered prayer. With a business-as-usual approach to life's trials, the good times can become surprising and delightful. It will be our blessings more than our sufferings that provoke us to ask God, “Why?” - (p. 100)

Ask

  • Which do you find more surprising: life’s trials or its blessings? Explain.

  • If you had been born at a different time in history or in a different part of the world, then how might you relate differently to the difficulties you face?

  • Do you believe in the “common grace” of the world’s essential goodness? Why or why not?

  • Name three particular signs of God’s kindness towards you?

  • What is your greatest desire?

  • What is your deepest dread?


Yield

Join with Jesus in His ultimate prayer of surrender in Gethsemane:

“Abba, Father … everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me.” - Mark 14:36a

I ask for a miracle.

“Yet not my will, but yours be done.” - Luke 22:42b

I relinquish control.

Amen.



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