Sunday, October 21, 2007

Praying for Miracles

Prayer is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. One thing that has become blaringly obvious is how much about prayer I don’t understand and how much there is to learn about it! I’ve been struck by its unparalleled power and its amazing ability to have a literal impact on my life. There have been many times in the past when prayer has seemed abstract, almost as if it does not have direct bearing on the day to day events of life, but now I realize it wasn’t prayer but my attitude about prayer that left me with this impression. I still feel in many ways that I am just scratching the surface where prayer is concerned, but I am so grateful that God has brought me to the point He has—the point where prayer is a very real, very necessary, and very constant part of my existence.

Since the moment we heard the news about Poppy I’ve felt a need to communicate with God like never before in my life. For me, this has been the easy part. I have never felt for even a second as if I didn’t want to talk to God about every aspect of Poppy’s situation. What has been much harder has been knowing exactly what to pray. I have struggled to know what to ask for, floundering back and forth between wanting to pray specifically and wanting to ask God to just work His will. Part of me fears that if I pray specifically and with an expectant heart, then I will open myself up to added disappointment if it turns out that what I ask for isn’t what we get. I also struggle with the concept of whether it’s even possible to know what I want in this situation. My thought process goes something like this: Poppy’s condition is something I never could have fathomed for my child, yet God has chosen to give this to us. Therefore, He knows better than I ever could what I need, and maybe that is much better than praying for what I think I want. All of these thoughts are going round and round in my head, and I am continuing to ask God to guide me and teach me how He desires for me to pray.

However, while I feel like there are certainly many areas where I still have questions and no definite answers, I also know that God has revealed a great deal to me through His word, the guidance of His Spirit, and through the wisdom of others He has placed in my life. One of these areas has to do with the concept of miracles. I have been told by so many people that they are praying that God will work a miracle in Poppy’s life. To tell you the truth, that is exactly what I am praying as well! The only thing is, I think there are about a billion different ways a miracle can be manifested in her life, and I feel that so many are referring to just one miracle: that of perfect healing. First of all, let me say that not only do I think it’s okay to ask God for her perfect healing, I think it is something I should ask for! I believe that God has the power and authority to do absolutely anything with Poppy’s precious little body, and I will continue to ask Him to work a miracle of healing in her life, and I invite you to join me in that prayer! But, I feel like God has revealed to me that this should not be the driving focus of my prayer, because it is only one of countless ways that God can and will work miracles in and through Poppy.

He has impressed upon my heart the fact that she is already a miracle, and the ways in which she has touched lives, mine first and foremost, is miraculous in and of itself. Because of this I want the focus of my prayers for Poppy to center on asking God to perform a miracle that my heart and mind can’t conceive or comprehend. I am asking Him daily to be glorified through this in the way that He chooses, knowing that whether that involves perfect healing or not, it will be a miracle in the truest sense of the word. My great fear is that some people might think that God didn’t answer their prayers if they pray for a miracle and Poppy is indeed born with Trisomy 18. I pray that God will place assurance in each person’s heart that this is not the case! He is so big and so great, and His plans are so beyond what we can see and understand, so however He chooses to answer our prayers, I know that the answer will indeed be miraculous. James 5:16 says, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” This is a promise I plan on clinging to in the days ahead. Thank you so much for your prayers for us. We are eternally grateful!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Praying for your precious child and all your family.

Emily and Daniel said...

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."
Romans 8:26-27

What a comfort to know that the Holy Spirit is interceding for us when we don't know what we ought to pray for!

Anonymous said...

I came across your blog searching for something for my sister who has a special needs child named Hayden, who is my sweet nephew. What a blessing it is to read your blog, and read about your miracle Poppy Joy. I love the name-it's so unique! I will pray for your precious Poppy, you, and your family. I especially am touched by your post on "Praying for Miracles." Well, well said! She truly IS a miracle!! I remember when my sis had Hayden, and I remember thinking that I am so thankful that God chose my sister and her husband as Hayden's parent's and thanking Him. You are so on the mark about everything, and God is taking care of precious Poppy, you, and your family. You are all safe in his arms.

I am originally from Jackson Tn, lived in Brownsville, and my sister still lives in Jackson-I will tell her about you all so she can pray too.

Love and prayers,
Amanda in Myrtle Beach, SC

kingfamily said...

I can't remember if I wrote before. I've been reading about & praying for Poppy for a couple of weeks now. I understand exactly how you feel about prayer. I am delighted to pray for your family and little Poppy.Thanks for sharing your struggles so that we know how to pray for you.
Brandi in PA :)

Anonymous said...

I will be praying with you for the miracle that we all want for Poppy.

Jena Baker

Anonymous said...

Just know we are praying the "prayer that never fails"....The Will be done.

Karen J

Anonymous said...

....THY Will be done.

(sorry)

TMB said...

we are college friends of the Farley's, and have been forever changed by the life of sweet Copeland. i, too, have been following your journey with precious Poppy, and just want to let you know that we are lifting your sweet family up to our Heavenly Father...
with love,
nathan, taylor and dylan

www.nathantayloranddylan.blogspot.com

Laurie in Ca. said...

Hi Angie,

Another wonderful post here and I so agree with you on the limitless miracles God can use Poppy Joy for in this time. Of course, I always ask God for a miracle of complete healing, not to build false hope, but because I know nothing is impossible with Him. I don't think there is a right or wrong way to pray in her life, just talk to God all the time.
And you are so right in knowing she already is a miracle and a gift. I pray for you to have a calm heart, as free from worry, full of joy as you feel her kicking and squirming inside you, waiting for her birthday to arrive. And I for one, will be blessed by any miracle He does with her life, even if He choses not to heal her completely. I have just learned to ask Him for the ultimate and accept His will.
My prayers continue in the days and weeks ahead for all 4 of you, as He guides you gently into meeting this precious little girl.

Love, Laurie in Ca.

Elizabeth S said...

What a beautiful post. I am so glad that God is big enough to handle whatever prayers we want to pray. And I am glad that he can see the whole picture, because whatever God has for our lives is better than anything we could ever come up with on our own. Still praying for your family!

Anonymous said...

I lift up my prayers to our loving Father, our gracious Redeemer, our powerful God...for your precious family.

Mandy said...

I am praying for you and the miracle that is Poppy Joy.


Mandy
GA
www.madelinegracehopkins.blogspot.com

sarahdodson said...

Such a good post. You and your husband are a tremendous testimony to others. I love the verses you use. May the Lord be merciful to your dear family!

Jessica said...

I have been and will continue praying specifically for a miracle for Poppy, and your family.