In Times of Trouble...Pray, Pray, Pray!

God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our life through;
God has not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God has promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way;
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love. –Source Unknown

How do you react when faced with a trial, difficulty, or sorrow in life? Some possible reactions might be to worry or suffer anxiety over it; maybe ignore it and hope it goes away; or did you plan for it, methodically working out a few alternatives that you could fall back on in such a situation? There are several different possibilities that one could choose from, but do you pray to God about it? I mean get-down-on-your-knees, hands-clasped-together tightly; sweat-pouring-down-off-your-brow, eyes-closed pray to God about it?

Whenever I think of this, I think of Jesus at Gethsemane, a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem (Matthew 26:36-46). There at Gethsemane we are given a glimpse into the heart of Christ. It is there that we see His dependency upon His God, His faith, His sacrifice, submission and unbending loyalty. At Gethsemane we learn to “follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21) in prayer during life’s trials and sorrows (Philippians 4:6-7).

There, in the quiet solitude of the garden, we are shown the watchfulness of prayer (Matthew 26:38-39, 40-41) as it unfolds. Jesus declares a moment of separation; He wants time alone with God (Matthew 26:36). Even though He shared everything in his life with his disciples, this time was exclusively His with God, and no one else!

Understand that trials can overwhelm us unless we remember to make time for God (to be with God in prayer). Jesus made a deliberate walk of about a mile to be alone with God in prayer during His sorrow (Matthew 26:30, 36, 37). What does this say to us? We must make an effort to spend time with God! Dear friends, prayer helps us remain spiritually alert during trials (Matthew 26:38-41). Prayer helps us be strengthened in spirit & body to do the will of God in the face of trials (Matthew 26:40-41).

In prayer we trust in the presence, power and faithfulness of God to hear and act according to His will. (Mark 14:36; Luke 22:43; Hebrews 5:7; Psalms 61:1-2; 62:5-8; Colossians 4:2).

We must also exhibit the obedience, or devotion of prayer (Matthew 26:39, 42, 44; Hebrews 5:8). The obedient Christian prays in faith (not Doubt) (James 1:5-8; 1 John 5:14-15). We are to be committed to knowing that obeying God is always right and by God will accomplish His will in our lives (Philippians 2:12-13). Therefore, we can pray in faith (trust and dependency) knowing that God answers! Remember this: Don’t doubt the will of God; and don’t doubt that God will answer your prayer.

Additionally, Jesus’ obedience encourages and motivates us to obey. How? We are encouraged and motivated by:
1. His readiness to sacrifice (Matthew 26:39).
2. His readiness to serve (Matthew 26:42).
3. His readiness to endure (Matthew 26:44).
Each of these can and should be a part of our prayers during trials; and our lives after we pray! (Romans 12:1-2, 11, 20-21). When prayer is joined with obedience it helps us accept our “cup” (lot or experience) and endure it in faith (1 John 3:22; Philippians 4:13).

At this point, I’d like to add one more important element, the fervency (passion) of prayer (Matthew 26:44; Luke 22:44). We know that Jesus’ agony did not keep Him from praying. If anything, it increased its urgency! At the moment when things look their darkest, prayer is a solace of the soul (Luke 22:43; Philippians. 4:7).

In times of crisis or trial, if we are not familiar with prayer it may well be something we desire, but feel inept at actually doing (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18; Matthew 26:38, 40, 43, 45). If this is ever the case, consider Jesus’ endurance in the face of sorrow and suffering (Hebrews 12:1-3); and don’t grow weary (Galatians 6:7). We must never grow tired of praying (Luke 22:46; 18:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18)!

Lastly, the lesson here is that each one of us will face trials in this life. That is a certainty! But how we choose to face them is a commentary on our faith and trust in God. Always remember that prayer is at our disposal to help us watch against temptation, to help us obey God in faith, and to be steadfast servants of God.

Prayer:

Almighty God, the Refuge of all that are distressed, grant unto us that, in all trouble of this our mortal life, we may flee to the knowledge of Thy lovingkindness and tender mercy; that so, sheltering ourselves therein, the storms of life may pass over us, and not shake the peace of God that is within us. Whatsoever this life may bring us, grant that it may never take from us the full faith that Thou art our Father. Grant us Thy light, that we may have life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. -thanks to George Dawson


May God bless you always,

Joan