A Prayer Request with a 'Side of Quandary'!?

~By Sharon Czerwien

June 2026 was a doozy-of-a-month for me! I certainly won’t bore you with specifics, but I did learn more about dealing with prayer requests that come with a “side of quandary” (the goofy, italicized phrase may make more sense after reading the last sentence!).

Quandary 

According to dictionary.com, “quandary” means:

“A state of perplexity or uncertainty, especially as to what to do; dilemma” [1]

Throughout June, I was uncertain about what to do and what to pray for regarding something health-related Yes, it was indeed my little dilemma.

Here is a little context:

In June, I went to the Emergency Room. It was discovered that I had my 1^st-ever kidney stone with a small probability of the stone coming out on its own, and eventually a procedure was scheduled to have it removed.

I had to go back to the ER three days after because of weird symptoms. Turns out, the ER doctor thinks that my kidney stone pain, mixed with my already-wonky POTS’ Syndrome nervous system, caused my body to go into disarray with odd symptoms.

The Prayer Request Quandary

In my mind, I needed the kidney stone removed quickly. My body could not handle the pain since all kinds of weird physical symptoms struck after pain.

Kidney Stone = PAIN  = My Not Happy Nervous System

My personal prayer (and desire) was that the stone would efficiently go away via surgical means, especially since the doctor thought this was the probable way the stone would need to come out.

Not too many people knew about my kidney stone at the time. I know that some (and super sweetly, too!) were praying that I would not have to go through surgery.

One momma (from whom I have purchased health-based things) specifically messaged me, “I’ll be praying for healing, rather than surgery.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I was personally hoping she’d pray the opposite way. =]

Afterall, I “thought” I knew my body and whole situation the best, and I (very wrongly!) assumed I should pray a certain way—for the stone to be removed sooner rather than later!

Praise God! On July 1, my stone—against the “odds”—came out on its own!

I realized, though, that I needed to re-learn to pray like Jesus did when He was on earth.

He prayed to the Father:

 “…not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39b).

“…Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42b).

Matthew 26:44 states that Jesus prayed the same words a third time, too.

What a Silly Quandary!

What a waste of my time! I totally butchered June and how I should approach prayer. I sure thought I knew what was best.

*Things I could have prayed for instead:

1. Wisdom (James 1:5)

2. For God’s will to be done (See the above Matthew 26 verses.)

Yikes! I was humbled by my lackadaisical prayers regarding my kidney stone.

I must remember MUCH more quickly next time not to rely on my own “wisdom” but seek out God’s wisdom and HIS will!

Oh yah, one more thing...

Let me explain this blog's main picture. I told my family that once the kidney stone came out, I wanted to celebrate at a specific Mexican restaurant with the best salsa. This "side of salsa" was a true celebratory party for me!

~Startin' over for next quandary,

Sharon

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[1] https://www.dictionary.com/browse/quandary, accessed July 6, 2026