Why We Should Pray “Even If” Prayers

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18

Have you ever considered it strange that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego included that phrase, even if he doesn’t?

I mean, honestly, have you ever prayed an even if He doesn’t prayer?

Lord, save my marriage, but even if you don’t…

Lord, give me a child, but even if you don’t…

Lord, heal my child, but even if you don’t…

Lord, save my child from addiction, but even if you don’t…

Lord, provide enough money to buy groceries, but even if you don’t…

I don’t think I have ever prayed and even if He doesn’t prayer in all the years I’ve been a Jesus follower. I don’t think the concept had ever even crossed my mind.

When my ex-husband had an affair, I begged God to heal my marriage, to draw my husband’s heart back to our marriage and family. I asked God to give us a new ministry helping couples overcome adultery. After our divorce, I begged God–day and night–to bring the right man along to love me the way He loves the Church. When my daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy, I prayed for God to take away the seizures every day, with every terrifying reminder of this disease that had such a tight grip on her brain. When I pray for those who are far from God, I ask God to do whatever it takes to draw them back to Him.

And never once did I pray but even if you don’t.

Why? Because I was firmly convinced God is able and willing. But the truth is, we must always measure scripture against scripture.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

God always answers prayers in accordance with His will.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

I don’t know about you, but I have learned that when we truly delight ourselves in the Lord, the desires of our hearts are transformed to become the desires of His heart.

What does that have to do with even if you don’t prayers?

Surrender. When we pray even if you don’t prayers, you are actually offering a prayer of surrender to the Father.

Lord, my heart desires to see you move in this way, but even if you don’t I will accept your will as my own. Your will is my greatest desires. 

I am a firm believer that surrender is the key to victory. When we choose ultimate surrender to God, we actually let go of any semblance of control we might have. We choose to release our will to God and trust Him to handle our circumstances in His sovereignty, His omnipotence.

Faith. Even if you don’t prayers express your faith in God. You are releasing your choices, your expectations to Him, and trusting Him regardless of the outcome. You are simply telling God that even if He doesn’t see things the way you do, you trust Him, His plan.

Eliminates Idolatry. We all know idolatry is wrong, but how easy it is to miss idolatry in our lives. When I prayed for God to heal my marriage, marriage was the emphasis–not God. When I asked God to bring a husband, marriage was the emphasis–not God. Without even realizing it, marriage had become and idol in my life.

When I pray even if you don’t prayers, I am able to focus on God as the center of my prayers, not what I am praying about.

Follows Christ’s example. Think about it. What did Jesus Himself pray in the Garden of Gethsemane?

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

To rephrase Jesus’s prayer, we could say, “…take this cup from me, but even if you don’t…” Jesus didn’t want to suffer and die on the cross, but He knew that doing things His Father’s way was the most important thing. He chose to surrender to the Father’s will even though it meant excruciating pain and humiliation for Him. He chose to trust God instead of insisting on His wants. It eliminated any chance of idolatry in His life. It was a powerful example for us to follow.

I don’t know where you are right now or what circumstances you are praying about. I don’t know what is robbing you of peace in your life right now. I do know the chaos in my own life, the struggles that have me falling at the feet of my Savior.

I think it’s time for me to begin praying even if you don’t prayers. After all, I have complete confidence that my Savior knows better than me.