The recent election in the USA is set to have a worldwide influence. Consequently, it has left some individuals feeling anxious and fearful about the future. Without question, ‘peace’ is what we all desire — both in our personal lives and in the world at large. In this episode of Biblical Talks, SD and Lady V pray for peace.
David was like many of us who have experienced a deep depression and begun to lose hope. You realize you need help when those constant drowning thoughts flood your mind of everything hopeless.
So, David expressed his need for God’s help for direction and protection. He wasn’t ashamed to admit he’d come to the end of his rope. It was at that moment David remembered he had an ever-present HELP in Almighty God. Besides, God had done it before, and surely He could do it again.
In general, most people have experienced or are experiencing some type of pressure. Hence, the need for this episode, Pressure Applied Prayer. Now, before going any further the educator in me wants to make sure we are all on the same page. Because the word ‘pressure’ has several different meanings.
So, for this post, the pressure we are referring to means burdens of physical or mental distress. No doubt, we can all agree, the COVID-19 pandemic put families around the world under a great deal of pressure. For me, I could not go through the pressures of life without pressing back with prayer.
Apply prayer to every situation
Have you ever heard the phrase “Prayer changes things?” I am a witness; I know prayer works. You see, I know for a fact that when I pray, God always hears me. And He has shown me as such, time and time again throughout my life.
Happy New Year!!! We all can agree, 2020 was a doozy. The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc around the world. Therefore, 2021 was a welcomed sight. A new year and a new beginning.
As a person of faith, I could not have made it through 2020 without prayer. Thus, praying is a major part of my daily life, because prayer is how I communicate with God.
If you are reading this blog post then you are alive; that is a blessing. You lived to see a new year. And no matter how you got here; you are here. So, take this opportunity to begin again. But I would suggest you start 2021 with prayer because prayer is simply conversing with God. No doubt, He wants to hear from you.
“O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries. Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, He will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left.”
It is ultimately impossible to go through life without battle scars from life’s many lessons. And although, some difficulties are great and some small; God’s mercy, grace, and love are interwoven in those ups and downs.
I recall growing up hearing the older folks singing about life’s troubles, and getting to the sweet ole by-and-by. It gave me the impression that the only time God would show HIS goodness was after death and not in this life—which is simply not true.
In Revelation chapter 21, we read a description of the New Jerusalem, which is the new city of God and HIS future home for HIS people. It is, no doubt, the goodness of the LORD for the FUTURE.
And, in John, chapter 14, Jesus says, “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trustin Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also”(John 14:1-3, AMP).
Now, that’s Good News! The Word of God lets believers know that Jesus is confirming that eternal life with HIM, is secured by believing in HIM. And not only that, there is special preparation going into our joining Jesus in eternity.
But, let’s look to HIS goodness for TODAY. In Psalm 27:13-14, here we find David, going through some type of trouble.
Prayer–some people believe in the power of it, while others don’t. Are you one of the many people who incorporate prayer in your everyday life? If so, I’m sure there were times when it seemed as if the answer to your prayer was a resounding ‘no’. Because the answer didn’t happen when you wanted it to. In episode 2, Lady V and I discussed the different reasons for that happening.
Lean not on your own understanding
Now, the question for some people then becomes “Why pray if I don’t get the answer I want?” Unfortunately, that’s when the feeling of giving up on prayer and God takes hold. Especially, to those individuals in desperate situations.
The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.
Beloved, if you’ve found yourself crying out to God and wondering, “When will the answer come?” You are not alone. Many of us go through rough seasons and want God to speak, show up, and fix it—ASAP.
I know; It may seem like God has forgotten about you and isn’t there; But, I’ve been sent to tell you that GOD IS THERE.
You may ask, “When God says go; what does that have to do with me?” Well, if you are anything like me, there have been times when I’ve made plans and nothing happened as I planned it. You know, the following old Yiddish proverb speaks to that point. It says, “We plan, God laughs.”
Now, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make plans. But more importantly, we should consult God about our plans. When God says go is another way of saying, get and follow God’s directions before proceeding with your plans. So, let’s look at what scripture says about it.
