God’s will is indeed more important than anyone else’s, but that kind of goal-oriented thinking is missing the point, and the point here is proving your FAITH.
FAITH SHOWS LOVE for a sick friend and would cause a person to pray regardless of the outcome. Genuine prayer shows God how much you need His intervention. You wouldn’t think of praying as pointless. Praying for something is much more than what you pray for; it’s about who you are, spiritually.
Matthew 5:3 “GOD BLESSES THOSE WHO ARE POOR AND REALIZE THEIR NEED FOR HIM, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”
It’s only when you don’t have faith, praying seems pointless. Believing “there’s a God and His will is more important” = that’s not faith, it’s just a belief. It’s not the same thing. Faith shows through actions. Belief is passive.
Here’s an example:
Matthew 15:21–28
The FAITH of a Gentile Woman
“Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
A Gentile woman who lived there CAME TO HIM, PLEADING, “HAVE MERCY on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”
But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word.
Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all HER BEGGING.”
Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”
BUT SHE CAME AND WORSHIPED HIM, PLEADING AGAIN, “LORD, HELP ME!”
Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”
She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”
“Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “YOUR FAITH IS GREAT. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.”
Now think: if that woman had no faith, would she go to Jesus, worship Him, and beg for His help?! NO. Would her daughter be healed? NO. It’s her FAITH that made her act in complete humility. It’s her FAITH that she had no doubt in receiving help; it made her determined – she was not discouraged when she got no reply at first. Jesus Christ was testing her FAITH.
GOD’S WILL IS FOR PEOPLE TO ACT EXACTLY LIKE HER!
Imagine if this gentile woman never went to Jesus, but stayed home and pondered, “What’s the point of my asking God’s help for my daughter if it’s His will what happens to her?”
It’s faithless. No action = no results.
Matthew 7:7–11
Effective Prayer
“KEEP ON ASKING, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For EVERYONE WHO ASKS, RECEIVES. EVERYONE WHO SEEKS, FINDS. AND TO EVERYONE WHO KNOCKS, THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED.
“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to THOSE WHO ASK HIM.”
*It doesn’t say, “everyone who believes, receives!” but EVERYONE WHO ASKS.
Praying for a sick friend is a good deed.