If God knows and sees everything, why does the Bible instruct us to “pray without ceasing? (1 Thessalonians 5:17, ESV). I suppose the simple answer is: We don’t pray to inform God. We pray to involve God.
This is a truth I often need to remind myself. Even though I have strong faith, I sometimes forget to bring my problems to God until I have exhausted every possible solution.
Have you ever been tempted to share how you’ve been offended? It’s easy to think that if we make the other person look bad for his or her mistake or sin, then we will feel better.
Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, or sorrow, and you didn’t even know what to pray? In those moments, there is power in the name of Jesus — power that brings peace when chaos surrounds you, strength when you’re weak, and hope when you feel lost. Sometimes, when words fail us, the most powerful prayer we can offer is simply a single name: Jesus.
Do you ever feel like there are not enough hours in the day? Like, no matter what you do, there’s never enough time to get it all done? Some nights I go to bed feeling harried and exhausted. I wonder where the hours went and why I accomplished so little. I pray and ask God’s forgiveness for not spending more time in His Word or in prayer.
As a little girl, I loved watching Little House on the Prairie. I thought travelling west into the great frontier would be a great adventure. I wanted to go where no one has ever gone before and get a fresh start on life. It didn’t matter to me that this new life might be fraught with danger. I wanted to forge a path into the great unknown and be brave and free like the pioneers. What I didn’t know then was that as Christians, we can follow in Jesus’ footsteps and be pioneers of faith.
This afternoon, while babysitting my grandson, I took him up to his room for his nap. Usually, he snuggles up against my chest and allows me to sing and rock him to sleep. But today, he reared back his little head, began crying, and flailing his arms. I tried to soothe him, saying, “I know you are tired, little guy. But you will feel happier and more peaceful if you rest.” Don’t worry, we can play again when you wake up.” As I said the words, I heard God’s Spirit whisper, “Sometimes you act just like a toddler fighting rest.” I had to laugh because it was true.
Have you ever wondered why God hasn’t answered your prayers? Dear one, unanswered prayers do not mean that God doesn’t care. Just the opposite is true. God loves us and wants the best for us. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:21-23, ESV).
Does reading about the Proverbs 31 Woman make you cringe a little? She is strong, wise, kind, fearless, and everything I used to struggle to believe about myself. Instead of feeling encouraged, I felt inadequate. I wondered how this picture of godly womanhood could apply to someone like me.
Maybe it’s just me, but I thought that once I became a Christian, my life would be easy and trouble-free. After all, the Bible promises us peace. However, it never portrays the Christian life as a bed of roses. After all, even roses have thorns. Biblical peace does not mean the absence of problems. However, peace can be found in the presence of God. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV emphasis added). We can find peace in the storm and become overcomers when we rely on Jesus.
Have you ever read one of God’s promises and felt a quiet ache inside? You hold onto that promise with hope, yet wonder why it has not come true in your life. Perhaps you have begun to wonder whether God sees your pain or whether His promises truly apply to you. You read about healing, comfort, peace, and joy, but your heart still feels heavy and uncertain.
