norah komali

this sweet girl is spending a few days at the children's hospital.
she's 2 months old (tomorrow).
i told jana that i am most definitely praying for them.
then i found that my first inclination was to pray for healing, health...comfort, convenience, happiness...
because this is how we pray. often, at least.
but i've been having some intriguing conversations about prayer,
reading Jesus' words in john,
and just this morning i heard this song which i love (and the story behind the song)
i am left thinking differently 
and i have to ask what underlies our requests for health and happiness
and if those are really the things that God teaches us to ask for.
in john, Jesus says that if we ask anything in His name, He will do it
but i've always known that it isn't that simple.
Jesus also says that He will do what we ask of Him so that the Father might be glorified.
i read through the commentary also.
asking in Jesus' name is asking according to His character and His will
because in those days, so much more than these,
a person's name identified so much about him.
john records Jesus' words about the vine and the branches...
"abide in Me... bear fruit... abide in My love... love one another."
His concern is always for the Father's glory and that we might know Him more
because only in His presence is fullness of joy.
so, yes, my prayer is still that norah is healed, that nathan and jana might have rest,
but even more than that
i pray that they might abide in You, clinging to Your unchanging faithfulness and mercy, that because of this trial they might be rooted deeper in their knowledge of You, that they might have an even greater capacity to love because they have walked with You, even in the valley, and that their testimonies would glorify the You.

"when Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. and this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
[john 17.1-3]