By: Katie Faris
“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” -Daniel 3:17-18
Dear Lord, We read the words of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, heroes of the Old Testament, and we want to imitate their faith. We too, long for confidence that you are able to deliver us from our trials; minds that remember you are our Deliverer, the one who delivers from death to life (Psalm 56:13); and hearts full of assurance that you will deliver us, whether in this life or the next. But we also ask for stalwart faith to trust you "even if and even when."
Lord, make us strong and courageous, people who trust and worship you alone even if and even when you answer our prayers differently than we would prefer—when the treatment doesn't take, when there aren't any easy answers, and when a child does die. Thank you for the examples of those who have walked through trials before us and testify that you are a trustworthy God—people like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who "quenched the power of fire" as well as those who were "flogged, imprisoned, stoned, and killed" for their faith, "those of whom the world was not worthy" (Hebrews 12:36-38). Thank you for how they cheer us on, encouraging us to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely” so we can “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Help us fix our eyes on Jesus and resist the enemy’s lies.
Lord, we believe that you are able to deliver and that you will deliver us in one way or another; but “even if ” and “even when,” we trust and worship you alone. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
KATIE FARIS is a pastor’s wife and mother to five. Her children have multiple health challenges, and Katie's experienced hospital stays and all kinds of medical testing with them—along with God's amazing grace. She is the author of He Will Be Enough: How God Takes You by the Hand through Your Hardest Days (TGBC 2022), God Is Still Good: Gospel Hope and Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Motherhood (Crossway 2023), and Loving My Children (2015). Learn more at katiefaris.com or follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook.
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