I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
Psalm 34:1-5
If It Be Thy Will, Lord
We’ve all heard the phrase, hindsight is 20/20: our understanding of events is clearer after they happen than beforehand. For obvious reasons, this is true. But for a Christian, a deeper truth lies within this simple phrase, for in hindsight we see not only God’s provision but also His providence in our lives.
I’ve written here about my husband’s recent 14-week unemployment. Part one is a reminder that God is good all the time, in the good and the bad. Part two tells about peace, hope, and God’s faithfulness during the months of waiting; His timing is perfect. Every day we are more certain my husband found the perfect job for him.
Today I want to share a part three: how unemployment affected my prayer life. I hope it speaks to those of you who struggle with the same issues, no matter your circumstance.
When my husband lost his job, my prayer life went into overdrive. A crisis will do that! (I wish I praised Him for His goodness and mercy when things are good as much as I ask for His help and favor when they’re hard.)
The days and weeks ticked by — and believe me, I counted. I believed God had a better plan for us; that didn’t change. But patience isn’t one of my strong suits. I started to wonder how long we could make it without an income and if I was doing something wrong.
Was I praying wrong?
My prayers contained a lot of sentences that started with “Lord, I know . . . ” and finished with an observation:
- Lord, I know my husband would be an asset to this company.
- Lord, I know it would benefit our family life if my husband got this job so close to home.
- Lord, I know we’ve got enough in savings to make it this long and no more.
My prayers were full of assumptions based on what I thought I knew in my finite wisdom and void of reliance on what the Lord knew in His infinite wisdom. I finally realized I didn’t know anything, or at least not the things I thought I knew.
I needed to reevaluate my “I knows”:
- Lord, I know you love us.
- Lord, I know we can trust you.
- Lord, I know you are good and merciful.
When I began to meditate on the attributes of God, I remembered the Holy Spirit fills the gaps in our prayers (Romans 8:26); He counts it as righteousness when we believe in Him (Genesis 15:6); He doesn’t tempt us (James 1:13).
As I surrendered my will to His — “Lord, we don’t know what we’re doing but we trust You; please show us Your will” — I let go of my fear. Most of my prayers were reduced to one simple phrase: “If it be thy will, Lord.”
Because that’s all that matters.
Is there a worry in your life you need to release and simply pray,
“If it be your will, Lord”?
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Dawn,
It’s so hard to pray when we don’t see something happening. I’ve prayed for some things for years and much like you, my prayers started out with praying about the “object ” of my prayers. We pray about the job, the marriage, the prodigal child, the illness, but like you discovered, it’s when our prayers shift to praying about the Lord – His goodness, His sovereignty, His faithfulness, His lovingkindness, that’s when we find what we’re looking for (peace, patience, understanding, perseverance, etc.). I’ve also learned that just because I don’t see something happening, doesn’t mean God’s not at work. I think you hit the nail on the head about what our prayers need to be about – less about me/us….more about Him. Dawn, I do know that God will honor your faithfulness and trust. Praying that He would bring about resolution for you according to His good and perfect will.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Teresa Davis says
Thank you for this beautifully written blog! My husband and I are in same situation and it’s good to hear about the reminders of how to pray. I identified with your story 100%! Praise God for His unconditional love! My husband has 2 weeks under his belt on his new job and we have grown and learned more patience and trust and truly know our God to have His hand on us giving us our daily bread as we still have an uphill climb, but we have patience & peace. Thank you for blessing us with these truths and reminders of His prefect timing! May you also be blessed!
Terri Davis
Rockford,IL
Dawn Camp says
Terri, I hear you! My husband finished his fourth week on the new job on Friday. We’re learning new routines but it’s certainly good to have a job!
Dawn Camp says
Bev, thank you for your good words here this morning.
Andrea says
It is funny how crises changes how we pray. It is true we are reactive during trying times and dig deeper into the needs of what we think will end the crises. My family has been through unemployment, and it isn’t for the weak of heart. Even when you know it will be ok…it isn’t helpful when you are in the throws of it. I would give it to God 100x a day, or more! I am grateful He is loving and forgiving. It is going t be ok. It always will be.
Joyce says
I’m currently in a period of unemployment, having been looking since January. It is a difficult season to walk in, as someone who is highly educated – two masters and pursuing a Ph.D. and has years of well experience. I’m constantly asking what I’m doing wrong. I wish I could say I’m waiting faithfully, but the last few months have been fraught with worry and wondering if God will even provide that right job. My prayer life is nonexistent because I don’t know what to pray anymore and frankly, my faith is shaky. Please keep me in prayers for God’s will to be done.
Dee says
Oh Joyce, I hear you and will pray. My son who graduated college is searching for a good job and it seems like good opportunities turn into dead ends as we pray for favor and guidance. I wonder what is wrong. I’m so tired of the struggle and the worrying.
Joyce says
Praying for your son even as I also wait for my miracle, Dee.
Kathleen K. says
Joyce, I am praying for you during this difficult time. Standing and believing God to bring the perfect job for you. Keep looking to him. He will never leave us or forsake us.
Joyce says
God bless you, Kathleen!
Dawn Camp says
Joyce, I pray you are able to reconnect through prayer this week and that you clearly see God’s hand in your life, and that your faith is restored.
Joyce says
Amen! Thank you for your prayer, Dawn!
Michele Morin says
I love Romans 8:26 and am stopped in my tracks by your interpretation of it: the Holy Spirit filling in the gaps. What a gift that is. And I also find that when I’m in crisis, I pray prescriptively, because the God of the universe definitely needs my advice on how to resolve my situation. Thanks for re-directing me to a focus on the identity and nature of God.
Lisa says
Dear Joyce,
I, too have been unemployed since last November, and please hear this; you are not doing anything wrong!! I would encourage you to spend time in the Psalms. Chapters 140-150 are all about praise, pray them back to God. Peruse the earlier chapters and meditate on those that speak to most, they can become the words you pray. One of my favorite passsges right now is Habakkuk 3:17-19, I pray it several times a day. Do a word study on faith and courage. Stay in the Word. I’m reading a book right now called “Wait and See” it’s about what God is doing in the “pauses” of our lives. God loves you deeply Joyce, and He is at work.
Joyce says
Thank you for the encouragement and the word, Lisa.
Teresa Davis says
Thank you Lisa for the scripture and how you use it to praise our Father. I started using this today after reading this beautiful blog that my husband & I 100% identify with. He is starting week 3 at his new job today. He hates the 70 mile commute to work & 70 home, the cost of tolls & fuel on a very old car. Not our first jobless period of time. He is thankful for his new job but struggling. It’s been a terrible strain on our marriage this time of waiting and my husband feeling like a failure, which he isn’t. God had a Very good reason to take him out of his 30 year career and place him in a new vocation that works well with his aviation skills. I have fibromyalgia and other emotional problems from the fibro and am unable to work. God meets me faithfully every morning & every night wraps arms of comfort around me. He keeps His promises, he’s provided through 2 hard years of up & down. I trust Him & love Him and love spending time with Him daily! Thank you for passing on your knowledge to help others. We have a long road ahead yet but I know God is here and His will is being done and He never leaves us! Praise His holy name and his grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, sovereignty!
Terri
Theresa D'Auria says
My husband was out of work for two years and we were getting really low in spirit and in our savings. We prayed continually for a job with benefits. Now he has a job with benefits however it is a night position which means he is working while I am sleeping. So we don’t really see much of each other than at meals. Which has been difficult for our marriage. Now I pray that our marriage will stay strong during this period of time for us.
Dawn Camp says
Theresa, I see much less of my husband now too, as his commute has increased (and he had a long commute with his last job, too). I pray you have refreshing time together as a couple this week.
Jessica says
Excellent morning-get-me-going kinda devo! Many thanks!!
Dawn Camp says
Many thanks to you too, for your comment!
Gem says
I pray that Your will be done into our lives Lord. Our family is going thru very hard hard times .please pray for us.
Kathleen K. says
Gem,
Lifting you and your family in prayer. Things will be alright. Keep standing and looking to him. He has not left you.
Gem says
Thank you for your prayers.God bless u and your family abundantly
Beth Williams says
Gem,
Praying for you and your family. May you feel God’s peace & comfort in your heart and soul. Just whisper His name & He will hear you. Know that He has plans for you-plans to prosper you & not harm you. Plans for to give you a hope & future. He is always near.
(((((hugs)))))
Gem says
Thanks a lot for your word of encouragement Beth. God bless you.
Dawn Camp says
Gem, prayers going up for your family.
Gem says
God bless you Dawn. Your prayers mean so much.thank you
Elizabeth says
As with your last post on your husband’s unemployment, I greatly appreciate your spiritual wisdom. I am still on my job hunt that began a year ago but really amped up when I became unemployed in November. I have faith that God has a plan, but I am scared. The bills are sill due. I’m praying he reveals his will soon.
Dawn Camp says
Elizabeth, I pray He clearly reveals His will to you and you find the job you were meant for soon.
Beth Williams says
Dawn,
So glad you hubby finally got a good job. I’ve been praying for you and your family. When I get stressed and find it hard to pray-I just whisper/cry out His name. I know He hears & understands. Thanks for the wisdom. Praying for everyone here. May they draw near to God during their trials. I pray they feel God’s peace & comfort in their hearts & souls!
Blessings 🙂
Dawn Camp says
Beth, thank you for your prayers. That means a lot!
Sharon says
The Lord had me meditating on these verses just this week as well.
Isn’t it funny how we divert to “is there something wrong with me? or Am I doing something wrong?” when we come up against a crisis? Instead of trusting that He has our best in mind. Jeremiah 29:11?
Praying for you and yours Dawn.
Dawn Camp says
Thank you, Sharon!
Debra Peace says
Thank you so much for this gentle reminder that is is important on how we pray and not just in times of trouble. Seeking Gods will in His timing is hard! I always need to be redirected, thank you for that today.
Have a great day,
Debra
thefisherlady says
Lord, I know you love us.
Lord, I know we can trust you.
Lord, I know you are good and merciful.
—————–
Yes! when we confess with out heart and lips all that God is…. we can be still and wait for Him <3
blessings to you dear ones.
He goes before you and behind you and holds you