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Sometimes God says no. Karen was a godly woman who lost her battle to cancer. In spite of the medical struggles she faced, and the pain that terrorized her body, Karen’s faith was immovable. She knew God to be her refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Her unwavering faith inspired a community of believers, as she held strong to the very end. Though many prayed for Karen to be healed of cancer, God’s answer was “no.”
As she said goodbye to all she loved here on earth, Karen was comforted in knowing that she worshiped a risen Savior who was familiar with suffering. She held tight to Jesus, and because she did her life boasted of God’s glory.
It can be very frustrating to be told no.
Many godly people were told no in Scripture.
Moses was a man of great faith, but he wasn’t allowed to step foot in the Promised Land.
The apostle Paul was also told no by God. He knew suffering. He asked God to remove a “thorn in his flesh” – some sort of physical ailment – three times, yet he lived with it until his death.
Though God’s answer was “no,” Paul’s response was praise.
Paul testified that he was strengthened by God’s all-sufficient grace.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12: 8-10)
We all face challenges.
Every trial you and I face is a trust-opportunity.
Each obstacle you encounter comes with a choice.
Will you choose to trust in the power and sovereignty of God or will you choose to doubt?
Dear Lord,
Thank You for grace that strengthens me when I am weak. Your glory is my purpose.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
Can you think of a time when God has given you His strength when you felt weak? Take some time to thank Him.
Love you so much, friend.
GWEN
Ready to trust God beyond your challenges? I have several online Bible Study options that will guide you on a personal journey with the Lord as you read, record, reflect on and respond to His Word.
These studies will help you know what God says about tender topics like forgiveness, healing, fear, depression, relationships and hope.
Each inductive study can be done in the comfort of your home and in a timeframe that fits with your personal schedule. Visit www.GwenSmith.net/BibleStudy to learn more.
Comments 48
Please pray for my son and daughter-in-law. The have 4 beautiful children the youngest being 3 months. They have just moved into their home in the location they have been wishing for. She has decided she is no longer happy and wants to leave with the children. They love their dad and this move will devastate him. He has left the home and given her the space she has requested. I am scared for him as he loves her and the children with all his heart. Please pray for her to get the help she needs and make the family whole once again. Thank you
Please pray for me. I’ve been struggling with fear and anxiety for 1 1/2 years now. I had a scary experience in my nursing school that made me fear mental illness. While I k ow my mind is sound I have a very huge fear of loosing control. Its caused me great anxiety and effects my daily life. I have a wonderful husband and 2 beautiful little girls. I need to be me again. Please pray god will remove my fear. Thank you!
Please pay for my friends George & Barbara. They have been married over 20 years. Barb has lived through two types of deadly cancers. She & George are having trouble in their marriage. George has a huge pride problem. He has had affairs and needs to feel important ALL the time. They are in their retirement years. Barb has stayed with him no matter what. Please pray that George (they are both believers) sees his issue with pride & changes desires of his heart. Pray that Barb can trust him again. She has been so faithful. She is so sad right now.
I am struggling with a love addiction. I have been back and forth for 5 years with a man who has said over and over he doesn’t want to marry me. He drinks a lot and has many demons. He doesn’t truly know the Lord, and I want to be there for him. I love him, but he is very emotionally and verbally abusive. I have felt like dying because I feel not enough. I want to be enough. Please pray that I can be strong and move on to whoever the Lord has for me, if he does.
Pray for my daughter who has become indifferent to my husband and I. She pretty much has nothing to do with us. She is married and has 16 month old son. Pray that Holy Spirit will soften her heart and that her and her husband will come to Jesus
Sandy,
My mother and I didn’t speak for 2 years. Just recently we started talking again. The lord softened my heart and has healed that broken relationship. Prayer does work. Keep praying, as will I.
Please pray for my daughter and son in law. They are trying to get out of a lease. The property manager is holding them responsible for paying the rent/utilities until another tenant moves in. They haven’t lived in the house for a month now. Lease expires in May. They aren’t financially able to pay that rent and also pay rent where they are living now. Situation is desperate. Your prayers are much appreciated.
Pray for me and my daughter to restore a broken relationship.
I am struggling with faith and trust with a broken relationship with my daughter. Please pray for restoration of both for me.
Almost 6 mos since my last of 27 Proton radiation treatments which caused 2nd and 3rd degree burns; before that had 4 rounds of chemotherapy which caused many unwanted side effects; before which had a lumpectomy 9/25/18 and a mastectomy 10/25/18…
I’m just beginning to feel that this is all finally in the rearview mirror.
Appreciate your prayers for my complete recovery. The Lord has walked with me along this very long difficult year plus… and I am ready to come back to his service. Thank you so much for GIG which I read every day and enjoy. God bless you, Gwen, Sharon and Mary!
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻✝️😘 Debbie
Struggling with suicide! Just don’t feel God is helping me through this change of counselor and Psychiatrist who I had a long time. My new med Dr said she wouldn’t change my meds. They have been working well for me. She changed the # I get. I will run out next week on two meds. I don’t know if she can help or not. Right now I don’t want to face withdrawal and have my anxiety come back in full force. Not sure I want to live through that! Very depressed!
Author
So sorry you’re feeling this way, Bev! Praying for you now, sister. You are seen and loved.
Gwen
Thank you Gwen!❤️
Dear Lord; I pray for my sister, Kathy, and my brother-in-law, Ted. As Ted struggles with Alzheimer’s issues, and Kathy cares for his wellbeing; please comfort them in their trials, Dear Lord.
In Jesus ‘name I pray, Amen🙏🏻💕🙏🏻
Please pray for my daughter. She found what looks maybe like a mole on her side but we are concerned about it. Cant get in to the dermatologist for 2 months. Praying that its not anything serious.
Also prayers for my sister that has been having back problems and found out she has 2 ruptured disc in her back. She has some decisions to make.
Please pray for Gavin he is 5 and has brain cancer. We need a miracle . I needed this reminder that His grace is sufficient for me.
Author
So sorry, Elaine! Praying now!
GWEN
Pray for Gavin’s Doctors that they can find a cure! Lord place a shield around him and his family. Lord help Gavin deal with the pain and suffering, give him comfort.❤️🙏
Dear Father God, I bring Gavin before your throne of grace, Father you said it in your word that every knee shall bow upon hearing your name. Father God we believe that the knee of cancer shall bow in Jesus name. We know that you are the great doctor and your the healer of all diseases, and we pray for Gavin complete healing in the mighty name of Jesus.
Amen.
Please pray for me financially and to be all God wants me to be.
Father God you said you shall meet all our needs in Christ Jesus. We believe Father that your child shall have a financial breakthrough in you and you shall never put her into shame. We believe that you have already met her need. Amen
Please pray for my daughter Natalie whom has been fighting alcoholism for years. This has landed her in jail and am praying the courts will understand that treatment is the best option. If God decides otherwise I pray for strength to get through it. I am a single mom and all she has is me and the Lord. She became very angry with God after her twins death but has found her way back to him and for that I am very thankful. Praise God for his goodness
Please pray for my husband to get a job soon. My son to find a God loving wife. For my health. Amen
Please pray for my family. My brother died, two months ago, from using drugs all his life, his body just gave out. I know God’s decision was a no to sobriety, however I know my brother is out of pain and suffering. He is whole and healthy up in heaven with our Lord & Savior. My parents are hurting. My other brother and I are hurting. We grieve for what we had hoped and prayed for – sobriety and to continue to have him here on earth. Is that selfish because he was suffering? So grateful we believe and know the peace of God surpassing all understanding. His Grace is sufficient. God bless you all.
Please pray for all students from 1st grade to the 12th grade to be more respectful towards their teacher and or substitute teacher. Please pray for the teachers and for the substitute teachers to be strong as they endure the challenges of disrespectful students.
Please pray for my health! I care for my ninety-year-old mother, stressful.
Humbly requesting prayers for severe anxiety and feelings of insecurity. I know the incredible power of prayer and thank all who will be lifting me up I’m prayers
Please lift my family up in Prayer as my son Jonathon and daughter in law are going thru a Divorce.Asking and Believe GOD for custody be given to Jonathon of the 3 children so they will have a stable, loving nurturing home. Asking that the vindictiveness and controlling ways of my daughter-in-law Katie will stop.Praying for her angry heart to be softened her way of thinking be made clear and for the Lord to comfort her for the Lord to show his grace ,favor and his will in this situation in the name of Jesus Amen.
Praying for God’s divine intervention in this situation. That he will touch your daughter-in-law’s heart and soften her ways. I also will be praying that God can hopefully one day bring restoration to your son’s family.
Pray for my adult children and their walk with God and their salvation. They were saved as children but have turned to their own desires. Makes a momma sad but holding onto God and trusting I will see them in heaven. Thank you and God bless!
Hi. Gwen for many years i have prayed for Husband and watch many get married but it seam to me God just dont give me that yes i long to hear.i feel guilty because i have such great desire to get married and has not happen for me. Am i putting to much in this desire by longing for it. I know got is jealous God.
Please pray for my friend’s daughter. “G” is 14 yr old girl battling depression and desire to die. She knows Jesus but this has hit her hard. Her parents are overwhelmed with feeling like they need to watch her 24/7. Thank you.
Please pray for me. I have a battle with obesity and I’m diabetic. Now I’m having other issues. I’m trying to eat healthy and lose weight ; but this addictive unhealthy sugar is a strong hold.
I need wisdom on how to be the best mama that I can be for my 3 children. My oldest almost 16, just made some pretty bad decisions and blew us away. My middle child 9 very rebellious, and my 5 year old still innocent. I’m building a business and taking care of everything at home. I do have an amazing husband that loves the Lord, we just need wisdom in every area of our lives.. Thank you in advance.
Gwen many times I have faced times where I had to make a choice of to make a choice to trust in what Jesus answer would be or my what I thought it should be. The hardest was when my Mother and best friend lost her fight to cancer over 30 years ago but I have to say His answer she was not healed on earth but she was completely healed as she went to be with Jesus her Lord and Savior. Then many more times such as just as recent when God has touched our daughter who almost lost in 2017 but has gradually doing better and looking forward to be able to go back to work. Then I trust Him daily with our expenses because husband and I are both retired but working part time to have enough money make our bills. God does provide.
I need Gods help and your prayers to keep me strong while facing my husbands upcoming surgery and difficult post-op. Thank you
Please pray for me had hip replacement surgery on the 14th. Was doing very well 10 days later. Stood up, passed out , broke ankle in 3 places. Back more surgery. And now bed ridden , I am in horrific pain , and sad . I covet your prayers of healing and grace
Please pray for my husband who has a difficult time letting go and forgiving past hurts. He is struggling with his adult children and has to make some decisions as to how to go forward in his relationship with them.
Please pray for my daughter who is struggling with anxiety with her Demeaning boss at work and her two babies under 2
Please pray as I recently lost my job. Pray that I would trust in His greater plan for me that He would provide. Pray for the applications I sent over as my husbands and I’s finances are staggered before us. Thank you.
Please pray for Jeanne, Magan, Lauren, Sarah, CJ, Lee, Diane, Tony, Doug, Pindle, Molly, Bill – Losses and illnesses – healing and peace
Please pray that God opens my husbands heart to surrogacy for our frozen embryos and that my eyes are open to God’s will for our future.
I am asking for prayer for pain relief. Thank you 🙏
Iam weak at times but it’s 2:39 am & I’m praying to God to help and put himself in my granddaughters mind heart & soul to get the help she desperately needs. She is 19 pregnant and homeless . I have her 2nd child 2 yrs already through social service. Pray for Chris to be saved through Christ our Lord and one the right path.
Please pray for my what’s next as after my husbands death my son and family have been by my side and now they are moving far away. I’m feeling lost. Thank you
Praying for you Esther and your granddaughter.
Praying that she has an encounter with God! Anything is possible with God❤️ praying for your strength and for those babies!!
Prayer request: a young woman of another color is trying with all her might to destroy me and to get me fired. I am an older woman than she but, I am not what she is saying. I am fearful but, trusting God to fight my battle. Please, pray for her that she will see what she is doing is wrong. Please, pray for me that I stay strong.