“I asked for strength, and God gave me difficulties to make me strong
I asked for wisdom, and God gave me problems to solve
I asked for courage, and God gave me dangers to overcome
I asked for love, and God gave me troubled people to help
My prayers were answered…”
(Frank vs, God, 2014)
I just watched the 2014 movie Frank vs. God. It's actually quite interesting, and I recommend you watch it. In short, the film tells the story of David Frank, who sues God because his house and his beloved dog, Brutus, were destroyed by a tornado. More specifically, the insurance company informs David that they will not pay for the damage to his house because it falls under the “Act of God” clause (damage caused by nature, in this case God as the cause of the damage). Interestingly, David sues God for the losses he has suffered, naming representatives from various religions as co-defendants. He asks for only one thing: God's accountability! However, what happens is that Frank meets Rachel, an alcoholic who wants to break her habit. Frank helps her. Then, he realized that this was what God really wanted for him. That everything that happened to him so far leads him to be able to get out of his suffering and finally feel love again. So, Frank withdrew his case from the court because of this realization and lived happily ever after with Rachel.
God changes everything in His time…
This film is an example of how God answers our prayers. How do we understand the meaning of prayer? Is prayer merely demanding God to be accountable for everything that happens? If we understand prayer as demanding a definite answer from God, then it is not really prayer. Prayer is not like a thief demanding something by force. Prayer will never change God's plan.
Prayer is a way for humans to change and improve themselves based on God's grace. Prayer always starts from how I give thanks, how I ask, and how I surrender everything to God. Whatever happens, what truly changes is us, not God. He has a beautiful plan for us. What we have is faith, believing in the process that God has provided for us. It's just a matter of time, because “He has made everything beautiful in its time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
Your prayer is useful if….
Lent is a good opportunity to improve ourselves, one of which is how we live our faith. We are free to pray for whatever we want, but after you say “Amen,” your problems might still be sitting right there. Prayer is not magic but an intimate relationship with God. He who gives, He also perfects it in His time.
