The Outcome You Never Expected

What do you do when the thing(s) you've been praying for are not coming to pass. In fact it may even seem like things are getting worse.

I've just finished watching a hope-inspiring episode on grief of a couple who experienced not one, not two, not three, but FOUR miscarriages.

Gianna Snell realised after the 4th loss, that prayer is about the relationship between you & God. Not the outcome you want.

So I was really wondering what does this mean and this came to me.

· It's about praying how can I stay with you (God) in this trial?

·        How can my relationship with you grow in this trial?

·        What can I do to trust you in this trial?

·        What can I do to be obedient to you in this trial? OOOOOOWI!

·        What can I do to show love (God & my neighbour) in this trial?

·        What can I do to give up my own way in this trial? Clobber me Jesus!

·        What can I do to let you fight this battle for me?

·        What can I do to receive the comfort, strength and help you've already assigned for me for this trial?

·        How can I remember you are always near the broken hearted?

·        What can I do to gain peace that surpasses all understanding in this trial?

·        What can I do to help others as I’m still going through this trial? oowi!

·        What can I say to encourage someone who may go through this trial in a way that brings them to grow in their relationship with you?

·        What can I do so my faith only grows in this trial?

·        What can I do to see things from a spiritual view instead of a limited human view in this trial?

·        How can I avoid leaning on my understanding, knowing your ways are higher and I will not understand them on this side of eternity.

·        What can I do to get wisdom and wisdom generously for this trial so I don't make things worse than they need to be and then blame you?

·        What can I do for you to see me as trustworthy of revealing things that only you can reveal, as I go through this trial, knowing you are a God who loves to reveal things, unlike the father of lies (the devil) who loves to conceal things?

·       What can I do so this trial takes me home, the ultimate goal in life, when Jesus comes, so I can enjoy the Godly compensation of enjoying a place of no more grief, sorrow, pain, anguish, despair, frustration, constant disappointment, helplessness et cetera, et cetera, et cetera?

When we pray along these lines, in the name of Jesus expect an outcome you would have never thought about, and with God, you know all things work for our good, so it will be a Goood outcome!

The other encouragement is not to feel pressure to have to pray in a certain way, the way social media videos ask you to "pray this prayer". God will lead you and teach you what to say.

The best part about prayer is that even if you don't pray as you feel you should, God won't hold that against you because he knows your heart.

Change your prayer (from that particular outcome, which off course you are justified in praying for, didn't Jesus say you have not because you ask not) and see what God will do for you.

As for The Snell's, God blessed them to go on to have not one, not two but three healthy babies. Won't he do it!

God is well able to bless you in ways you would never have expected. He is just a supernaturally blessing God of whom nothing is too hard for, not even multiple griefs.

Grief is a major contributor to mental health. If you feel up for it, join me for Bible Quiz Night on 6th Feb 2026, with the theme of Mental Health and find out what other encouragement God has for us in our trials. More Info & register here