but God had mercy on him."
Philippians 2:27
Her aging father was sick. The more she prayed for him the worse his condition became. She said to her husband, "Maybe I just don't know how to pray, or maybe God doesn't hear my prayers." He said, "I believe you are wrong on both counts. Prayer is simply talking to God, and you believe in God, so I know He hears you." She asked, "Well, what should I do?" He replied, "Just ask God to have mercy on your dad, and He will."
Sadly, two weeks later her dad died. She asked her husband, "Do you still think that God heard my prayers?" Her husband said, "I know He did. God is merciful. You're dad trusted God. He was ready to die. God's mercy took him out of extended suffering and pain. We know where he is. That's God's mercy."
The apostle Paul prayed for God's mercy upon a fellow worker in missionary service. He was sick unto death, yet God had mercy on him. He was healed. Mercy may not always heal someone at the point of death. Yet, God is always merciful to His children. Mercy may call God's child home, where there is no pain nor suffering. Mercy is God's will for all of His children, for God is merciful.
In praying for yourself or someone else during times of sickness, never be reluctant to ask God to be merciful, because that's who He is. He will show mercy. Leave the details and results to the One who is full of mercy.
Prayer: God, we need Your mercy always.
