On the surface, this seems to be a logical conclusion to the truth that our sufferings are used by the Father to draw us closer to Him and conform us more to His Son. However, I do not think suffering should ever be purposefully pursued or purposefully prayed for. Here is why?

1. It appears that neither Jesus nor Paul purposefully pursued suffering. Instead, they did not run from it when it came, since they did not view it as directly opposed to God's purposes. Some people actually pray for more suffering, but it appears to me that this is overly presumptuous and braggadocios. Jesus knew that suffering was part of God's purpose and he did not run from it. However, when the time came to enter into the fullness of sufferings God had for him, he prayed, "If possible, let this cup pass from me. But not my will, but Thine, be done." If Jesus was hesitant to willingly enter into suffering, we should be very careful in how we approach it -- especially when we seem intent on praying for suffering.

2. If we broadened our view of suffering, we would see that we don't need to necessarily pray for it -- we are already immersed in it. Suffering is not limited to physical persecution. Suffering also comes from other sources. For example, we suffer because of our innate sinful inclinations that grieve us so (Romans 7:14-24). We suffer as we mortify our selfish desires through God's Spirit (Romans 8:12-17). And we suffer merely by being creatures in a fallen world that is groaning for redemption (Romans 8:18-25).

In short, if you have to pray for more suffering, than you probably haven't truly considered the breadth and depth of suffering required in daily self-denial, self-sacrifice, and self-acceptance in a world that "groans and suffers" (Romnas 8:18). Indeed, one final aspect of our suffering is our longing for completeness and wholeness -- the final purifying of our souls and full enjoyment of God in his presence. We will groan in this way until we enter glory.

Until then, we should pray for greater measures of God's grace and Spirit that we might know God more intimately -- whether this includes suffering or not. In short, we should never run from suffering, and ultimately, we can't run from suffering, but it seems a bit foolish to actually pray for it. There is already plenty of opportunity to experience it without intercession.

Ultimately, we would probably be better off praying for strength in the midst of suffering and a greater amount of wisdom to discern the numerous opportunities for self-denial that are already available to us. However, if you still feel it necessary to purposefully pray for suffering, watch out, for God may answer in ways that go beyond anything you could possibly imagine.

© Richard J. Vincent, July 21, 2002