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.  

Enjoy The Gift Of Rest

Dear Heavenly Father, You have been watching over me since the day I was born, and continuously showered me with Your grace and favor at every stage of my life. 

Thank you for this season of rest which gives me more time to myself and my loved ones. 

Lord, please instill in me a spirit of peace and joy so that I can learn to enjoy Your gift of rest and tranquility and to be kind to myself. Help me to grow closer to You, for I want to have more intimate relationship with You. 

Pursuing Healthy Interest

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for filling my life with the fullness of Your grace and showering me with Your many blessings!

As I embark on the next chapter of my life, I ask that You will guide me and help me to make good use of the strength, energy and time that You have given me. 

Whether it is pursuing new goals and aspirations, acquiring new knowledge and skills, helping our people in need or connecting with friends, may all my thoughts, words and actions glorify Your name.

Please continue to bless me in this season of my life, that I may enjoy an abundant and meaningful life, and also become a blessing to all those I meet. 

Pouring Out My Innermost Fears

Dear Heavenly Father, as I encounter various trials and the ups & downs of life, I thank You that I can always pour out my innermost thoughts and feelings to You.

Though others might expect me to be able to overcome my challenges with the wisdom and experience of age, there are times when I feel overwhelmed. Inside, I feel weak, scared and helpless. But I often find it hard to admit this, and to reveal my innermost fears to others.

In such times, O God, I turn to You! You are my refuge in the storm and I know that You, loving Father, are always ready to listen to me. I come boldly into Your presence to bring every fear, every thought, every worry to You. Please grant me strength.  

Treasuring The Present

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the breath of life every day, including today.

Though I may weep in the night, I can rejoice in the morning, for Your grace and mercies are new every morning. Teach me to leave the past behind and to focus on the present, that I may cherish what You give me today and experience fully the grace that comes from You every single day.

O Heavenly Father, I want to thank You, for Your faithfulness is great and Your grace is forever! Even when I am in the midst of life's challenges, I know I can trust You, for You will guide me and grant me favor. Therefore, I will not fear nor be discouraged, but be joyful and enjoy the peace that You bring.  

Counting My Blessings

Dear Heavenly Father, I want to give thanks to You. I have seen Your sovereign hand at work throughout my life, both through good and bad times.

Thank You for the privilege of experiencing the warmth of a family, so that I can learn to love and be loved. Thank You for leading me to be involved in different kinds of work, so that I have the opportunity to use the gifts that You have given me to serve others.

Although my time on earth is finite, Your divine grace is everlasting. Please teach me to number my days on this earth and give me a heart of wisdom. I want to love You with my whole heart and mind, and to love others as well. Help me to make use of every opportunity to be a living testimony for You, so that people can witness Your bountiful grace and merciful love.      

Depending On God The Deliverer

O, Father, my life seems to be full of worry and bitterness. There are so many things to worry about and things do not always go according to plan. I cannot seem to do the things that I want and end up doing the things that I don't mean to. At times, I cannot help but feel that I have no control over myself and my situation; it almost feels like I'm trapped in my circumstances.

In such times, O Father, I turn to You. I want to depend on You fully! In this time of trial, I thank You that I can hold on to Your hope and find Your peace, because You are in total control of my situation. I thank You that I can find joy amid my worries, because You will strengthen me and deliver me through my troubles.   

Please continue to lead me on Your righteous paths, so that I will continue to obey Your Word and follow Your ways. Help me not to fall into the clutches of sin and to remember what Your Son Jesus Christ did on the cross for my sake.  

Relying On God The Refuge

Heavenly Father, You who made the heavens and the earth also created me and loves me. No matter what I am going through in this season of my life, I want to praise You for everything, because You never change and You will never leave me nor forsake me.

Your grace is more than sufficient for me; You are my shelter in the storms of life. When I look back on the past and count the times You sustained me with Your grace, I cannot help but praise and thank You. I will always rejoice and celebrate, for all my blessings come from You. You are my Help at all times and my Redeemer till the end.

O God, the One who saves and who carries my burdens daily, please continue to be by my side and support & strengthen me all the days of my life.  

Taking Comfort In The Lord's Presence

O God, there are times when I feel lonely in my age.

Yet, I am reminded that You are with me and watching over me day and night. You are my Shepherd, protecting me and all those around me. You are my Rock and my Refuge and I can be safe and secure in Your arms. You hear my every thought and request.

O Lord, help me to remember that I am never alone, for You are always with me. Teach me to enjoy the time I spend with You and to remember that You lead me to green pastures and quiet waters, where You are always by my side. 

Learning To Rely On Others

Dear Lord, thank You for always watching over me and meeting my needs. 

I am finding it harder to remain independent. I do not wish to be a burden but I realize that I will eventually need to depend more on people. At times, I feel helpless and miserable.

Please help me to accept my own limitations and to bear a humble, grateful heart as I accept the help of others.

O God, I want to rely on You! Fill me with Your love, grace and joy.  

Struggling With Failing Health

You have promised us that those who are burdened and heavy laden can come to You, and You will grant us comfort. You have assured us that though we will have trouble in this life, we can take heart and find rest in You, for You have overcome the world. I believe that Your grace is sufficient for me and Your strength will be upon me. 

Dealing With The Loss Of Income

Dear loving Father, Thank You for always providing for me. You are my help and my shield. Your faithfulness is vast, and Your love is everlasting.

I have many fears and anxieties when I think about the future.

O Lord, You know my every need. I surrender my financial concerns and worries into Your almighty hands. Please grant me Your peace, so that I will not worry about tomorrow. I lean on Your unfailing love and my heart rejoices in You.