Praying according to Scripture

God has been teaching me a lot these past few weeks as I have been praying for the hockey team (specifically for Ryan).

In praying for their salvation, I started out praying that God would protect them. I just wanted God to keep them safe and happy. Then I read 1 Corinthians 5:5- "You are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, SO THAT his spirit will be saved in the day of the Lord." At IV chapter retreat we also talked about the prodigal son, and how he didn't return until the famine hit, and "he began to be in need." (Luke 15:14). If I truly love them and want them to be saved- I should also be praying that they would suffer SO THAT they would be led to Christ. How many testimonies involve someone having so much success that realized that God must exist? There aren't that many! Most testimonies that I have heard involve a time of suffering.

Don't get me wrong- success is not bad at all! One thing I have been praying for is that God would be with Ryan, that He would give him amazing hockey skills and be able to use that one day as a ministry. And God answered that prayer! Ryan got a hat trick on Saturday at the game against GW (that's means he scored 3 goals in a single game...he actually scored all 3 goals in the third period, but w/e...), and he was also named Rookie player of the year for the colonial division. That is the God that we serve! He is powerful!

Which is why it is SO scary for me to pray that God would do WHATEVER it takes to lead Ryan (and the rest of the team) to salvation. He just might answer me! What if Ryan loses some one close to him? What if he suffers an injury or illness? What if he actually does have to suffer? That just breaks my heart! But if that is what it takes for him to come to know Christ, to receive God's mercy- then I pray earnestly that God would do it.

I know that this was really hard for me to wrestle with. But, in investigating Scripture, I can't argue with it. Our only hope if for Christ to be glorified. So that must be my prayer. Not for Ryan's happiness- but for his salvation. Anyway, just wanted to share that with you as you all continue to pray for the team.