Pray to end suffering?

[dranzal]

If suffering is redemptive, should we pray to end suffering?

Example: If a mother with small children has a condition (like fibromyalgia or arthritis) that causes great pain to do any household things or even hold her children, and suffering is redemptive, should she pray for her pain to end and her condition to heal?

 

[Belle10]

If suffering is redemptive, should we pray to end suffering?

Hi dranzal, I’m Belle

I think it’s OK to pray for an end to suffering, as long as we ultimately pray for God’s will. Jesus asked in the Garden that His suffering be taken away, but submitted to the Father:

Matthew 26

The Prayer in the Garden

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 **He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” **
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless[e] I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

There’s nothing wrong with asking God to ease our suffering. If God answers our prayers in a different way though, we have to accept that too, as painful as it may be at that time.

I hope this helps. :hug1:

 

[John_Hiner]

If suffering is redemptive, should we pray to end suffering?

Example: If a mother with small children has a condition (like fibromyalgia or arthritis) that causes great pain to do any household things or even hold her children, and suffering is redemptive, should she pray for her pain to end and her condition to heal?

Laudatur Iesus Christus.

Is suffering redemptive? Yes.

Should we pray to end suffering? Yes.

Suffering is redemptive, because Christ made it so by His obedience on the Cross. However, suffering is not God’s idea. One reason fallen man was so repulsive to God was the suffering and death which Adam’s choice caused, and which had no part in God’s love or will.

Since the Crucifixion, suffering itself can be an act of love. However, God’s fundamental desire is that all things – physical, spiritual, social, everything – be used to express Christ’s love for God the Father. At root, this love is joyful and exultant. Thus, it is in accord with God’s will to pray and seek the end of suffering.

Suffering, should be accepted but not sought, used, but not prolonged. If one did not pray to end suffering, one would have to doubt whether one knew the mind of Christ.

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew (RSV) 26:39.)

Pax Christi nobiscum.

John Hiner