Father, glorify Your name.

When we are going through a hardship or trial, what is often our first prayer? Are we quick to wish away the situation or ask God to remove the person or thing that is causing us distress? It’s not all wrong to ask God to take our difficult situations away, after all Jesus prayed, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42). He asked for it to be taken away, if possible, yet He ultimately submitted to the Father’s perfect will.

Jesus knew He was here for a purpose. He wasn’t here to live a comfortable life, free of any troubles or suffering. He was here to glorify His Father. As the time of his death grew closer, He expressed, “Now My soul has become troubled; and what am I to say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.”

What if our prayer in the middle of a trial was, “Father, glorify Your name.” Of course, like Jesus, we don’t want to suffer. But I pray our desire to glorify God will be much deeper than our desire to be free of troubles. Your situation may seem so bleak you are not even sure how God could be glorified in it. But be encouraged, beloved, God will always honor the prayer that is seeking for Him to be glorified.

Perhaps God is allowing a trial to occur in order to prove your faith to be genuine. (“These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:7) Maybe the way you walk in love and forgiveness will point someone else to Christ. Or there could be an opportunity for you to bear fruit in the midst of your circumstances. (“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” John 15:8). Whatever situation is before you today, let’s allow our prayer to be, “Father, glorify your name.”