The same came up tonight in my church. It was a prayer-meeting, and at one point we were praying for the teaching ministry of the church. The pastor asked for people to tell something they'd learned from one of the previous sermons at church. I said something along the lines of "If trials bring us closer to God and lead more people to the church, then maybe we should pray for those things." This was partly my musing about to a sermon preached on rejoicing during suffering. I also mentioned reading a post on an online discussion board (here) that seemed to hint at praying for trials (sorry again Eleanor if I misinterpreted you).

I got an answer that, no, it is not taught in the Bible, and we are to pray for peace and live at peace with others, so far as it depends on us. We are to be content in all circumstances, and we are to pray that trials will lead us closer to Christ. However, we are to focus on obedience rather than on seeking out trials.

I almost wish I hadn't asked my question, especially since I am new at my church, but I pray that those I was around will forgive me. It was hunmbling, and the pastor was very gracious with his response. He even asked me to forgive him if he was too harsh. I said he wasn't harsh, and that I appreciated his response. So I saw God's grace in that matter.

Hey, I wanted a pastor that corrected his flock if their ideas needed correction by the Word, and I got one <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/giggle.gif" alt="" />

(Hey, it wasn't any worse than being corrected by Pilgrim, except it wasn't online, it was in public...)

True godliness is a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death~ Calvin