PRAYING IN DIFFICULT TIMES

When we face difficult times, we too can feel that no one hears. And worst of all, we can feel that God Himself doesn't listen to our cries or see our tears. But He does! And that's why we need the language of petition and protest found especially in the book of Psalms. The Psalmist petition for God's help and also protest their situation to Him. In Psalm 61 - David brings his petitions and protests before his Creator; stating...I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. David cries out to God because he knows that only He is his refuge and strong tower.   

Praying the petitions and protests of the psalms is a way of affirming God's sovereignty and appealing His goodness and faithfulness. They're proof of the intimate relationship we can experience with God. In difficult moments, we can all be tempted to believe the lie that He doesn't care. But He does. He hears us and is with us.  
 

SEVEN MINUTES OF TERROR

Sometimes we may experience our own times of fear when we feel we're not hearing from God - we pray but we don't get answers. 

In Scripture, we find people getting answers to prayer quickly and those not getting answers for a long time. Perhaps the most poignant example of a delayed answer - one that surely struck terror in the hearts of Mary and Martha - was when they asked Jesus to help their sick brother Lazarus. Jesus delayed, and their brother died. Yet four days later, Christ answered by resurrecting Lazarus.

Waiting for answers to our prayers can be difficult. But God can comfort and help as we approach His throne of grace with confidence...that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Loving God, You know what's on my heart. Please help me trust You as I await Your answer. 

REACHING OUT

When we're in a low place and filled with despair, God is there and will sustain us too. 

In Psalm 18, David praised God for delivering him from the low place he was in after nearly being defeated by his enemies. He proclaimed - God reached down from on high and took hold of me, He drew me out of deep waters. Even in moments when despair seems to consume us like crashing waves in an ocean, God loves us so much that He'll reach out to us and help us, bringing us into a spacious place of peace and security. Let's look to Him as our refuge when we feel overwhelmed by the challenges of life.

Heavenly Father, there are times when my burden become too much to carry. Thank You for continuously reaching out to me, sustaining me and granting me Your peace, strength and wisdom.  

WHEN HARD PRESSED

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord, the Psalmist exclaimed.

And his confidence in God was unmistakable.

The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid...the Lord is with me, He is my helper.

It's not unusual to be fearful when we need to change jobs or schools or housing. Anxieties arise when health declines, relationship change or dollars disappear. But these challenges needn't be interpreted as abandonment by God. When hard pressed, may we find ourselves prayerfully pressing into His presence.   

Sustainer Of Blessings

All good things - including physical health and the skills needed to earn a living - are blessings from the hand of our loving God. Even when we've worked hard, it's He who sustains us. Oh, to hold our blessings with open hands, that we may gratefully praise God for His kindness to us!

Thank You, Father for sustaining me every moment.  

 

Protect Your Heart

God's instructions guide us through life, steering us away from poor decisions and teaching us where to focus our attention.

If we armor our heart by heeding His instructions, we'll better keep our feet from evil and remain steadfast on our journey with God. We venture into enemy territory every day, but with God's wisdom guarding our hearts, we can stay focused on our mission to live well for God's glory.

God, please protect my heart from the threats against it. I hide myself in You.  

New Vision

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. 

God, speaking through the Prophet Isaiah, knew that the Israelites stuck in Babylonian captivity would need a new prescription - and a new view. He told them. I am doing a new thing! I am making a way in the wilderness. And His message of hope included the reminders that He had created them, redeemed them and would be with them. You are mine, He encouraged them.

In whatever you're facing today, the Holy Spirit can provide better vision for you to put the old behind you and look for the new. By God's love, it's popping up all around you. Can you see what He's doing in the midst of your pain and bondage? Let's put on our new spiritual glasses to see the new that God is doing even in our wilderness moments.

God of new beginning, Thank You for all Your Promises. Help me to see the new that You bring about even in my wilderness moments.  

Rescue Mission

The Psalmist David understood the pains of being weighted down with heavy burdens, feeling forgotten and lost & desperate for a rescue mission. In Psalm 38 - David cried out to God. He had experienced isolation, betrayal and helplessness. Still he prayed with confidence - Lord, I wait for You, You will answer, Lord my God. 

David didn't deny his predicament or minimize his inner turmoil and physical ailments. Instead he trusted that God would be near and answer him at the right time and in the right way.

When we feel weighted down by physical, mental or emotional burdens - God remains committed to the rescue mission He planned from the day He created us. We can count on His presence when we cry out to Him - Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.    

Daily Dependence

In human terms, children are meant to grow from dependence to independence. But in our relationship with God, maturity means moving from independence to dependence on Him. Prayer is where we practice such dependent ways. When Jesus taught His disciples - and all of us who have come to believe in Him - to pray - Give us today our daily bread, He was teaching a prayer of dependence. Bread is a metaphor for sustenance, deliverance and guidance. We're dependent on God for all that and more. 

There are no self-made believers in Jesus and we'll never graduate from His Grace. Throughout our lives, may we always begin our day by taking the posture of dependence as we pray to our Father in heaven.

Dear Jesus, You're my Creator and my Sustainer. Please help me to trust in You.  

A Labor Of Love

There are times when we'll be overlooked, devalued or unappreciated by those around us. Biblical wisdom reminds us - however, that when God has called us to task, we shouldn't focus on gaining worldly approval and recognition but should instead work at it with all our heart, as working for the Lord.

When we focus on serving God, we're able to accomplish even the most difficult tasks with fervor and gladness in His power and leading. We can then become less concerned with receiving earthly recognition and become more eager to receive the award only He can provide.