When All You Can Do is Pray...

Am I the only one who had a tough time in 2016? Raise your hand if last year was full of ups and downs.  (I’m raising both hands and both feet!) I feel like I am simply treading water as I limp into 2017.  What about you?

From health issues to emergencies to even the state of our country, 2016 had me wondering what to do next.  There were so many times when I dreaded when the phone would ring because it was only going to bring bad news.  I was afraid to check my email, fearful of what I might find.  Not to mention my Facebook newsfeed. People are scared and hurting. And so many of these instances were out of my control.  Some, deeply far from my grasp.

When we find ourselves in those times...  Difficult, trying, even downright scary times... What do we do?

Pray.

I know that sounds so easy to throw out there.  But I am telling you from experience, when you don’t know what to do – pray.  When there is nothing you can do but pray – pray!

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV) (Emphasis mine.)

I think I have lost count of the number of times in the last 6 months that I have dropped everything because there was an urgent need that I felt compelled to pray about.  An event that I simply needed to stop and bring to the throne of Jesus in prayer.  It just was such a great need, I had to press pause in my day and intercede for loved ones and friends.  Waiting for a quiet moment later was not an option.  I needed to take a few minutes right there, right then and fall to my knees in prayer.  Sweet friends, I urge you, when all you can do is pray – PRAY!

“Answer my prayers, O Lord, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful.” Psalm 69:16 (NLT)

We can’t control everything.  We don’t know all the answers.  Try as we might, we can’t fix everything either.  But, we know the One who does and can! It is through prayer that we bring to the Lord what is on our hearts not only for ourselves but what our heart is toward others.  When your heart is breaking for a friend or loved one, lifting them up in prayer is such a treasure.

Even in those times when maybe the request isn’t so urgent, don’t neglect praying for others.  When you tell someone that you will pray for them, be sure to follow through. By the way, I’ve never had someone not say “thank you” when you’ve revealed to them that you are praying or have prayed for them.  I’ve yet to come across a person, believer or otherwise, who has said they would rather I didn’t pray for them. And come to think of it, don’t you love to hear when people share that they have been praying for you?!  Doesn’t it make your heart happy to know others are bringing your needs to Jesus too?! So make sure you bring your prayers to God for others as you would want others to pray for you.

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:19 (NIV)

When situations come up that you are completely powerless to do anything about, bowing down to the Lord in prayer instead of cowering in fear; it’s a way to put our faith into action. We are approaching the throne of mercy and believing God is hearing our pleas. We are trusting Him to answer according to His will. And He will answer...

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-        Richard A. Burr

Post by: Marcy Gates