From Bryan Chapell:
One day not too long ago, I went to the hospital to visit my friend Eric, who was dying of a brain tumor. Months of fighting the cancer with chemo and prayer had seemed futile. I came to encourage Eric and had no idea how powerful his ministry would be to me. In that yellow-tiled room, lined with monitors and tubes that measured and maintained his life, Eric showed me the treasures of an eternal life that was his greater reality and glory.
I did not know how rough this beloved teacher’s day had been until I entered his room. His head was hurting so much that he was dizzy with the pain. He grimaced when he smiled to greet me, and we said little as I put a hand on his shoulder. His wife smiled gratefully and rose to let me have her seat beside the bed. Seeing her vibrant, always exuberant husband in so much pain had been hard on her that day. She went into the hallway to cry and to let go of the brave face that she usually kept in place for him.
Eric spoke earnestly in the few minutes that she was gone. ‘Bryan,’ he said, ‘please help my family not to hurt too much. I feel sorry for all of you. I will see Jesus soon, but you have to wait. I just pray that I can glorify the Lord through this.’
I continue to marvel at this faith in God’s eternal provision, and I continue to seek the depth of faith evident in Eric’s prayer. In the midst of great suffering, he offered a simple petition: ‘In my life, Lord, be glorified.’ Of course, Eric desired the return of his physical health. Without question, he ached about the future of his young family. Eric put it all before the Lord in prayer, but Eric also ended his prayers, ‘In Jesus’ name.’ That means that this faithful believer’s greatest desire was to have his life — and, if necessary, his death — honor the name of his Savior.
I would not pretend to tell you that I know why Eric’s dying rather than his living was more glorifying to God. Part of my heart still struggles to make sense of the loss of my friend. Yet this courageous man helped me to see, and wanted the world to know, that the God who loves us enough to sacrifice his own Son for us desired only the best for Eric, his family, and all the world that was touched by his life (Rom. 8:32). Eric was suffering in a fallen world where such experiences are common. Yet he had hope in a better world that many have yet to claim. If God could use Eric’s faith in a time of suffering to display to many (including you who are reading this) the reality and security of that better world (2 Cor. 4:17-18), then Eric was most blessed — fulfilled in his greatest desire. Because of the wonders of his Lord’s eternal provisions, Eric knew that ‘our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us’ (Rom. 8:18). God was revealing his glory in Eric, and that was precisely Eric’s desire.
Eric taught us all to pray, ‘God, you know my needs and my wants. They are plain to you and I ask you to provide for them. But, Lord, I love you so much that this is my ultimate prayer: Let my life be used to show the greatness and goodness of my God and his eternal love no matter what I face. Above all, I pray for the glory of Jesus’ name.’ This is the essence and beauty of praying backwards.
Excerpted from his book Praying Backwards.
