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.