The Blessing Of A Prayer Life

Like many others, I enjoy the great outdoors. Getting away from the city and finding a quiet trail to hike or just admire a scenic view is somehow refreshing to me. Over the years we have endeavored to instill that same admiration in our children.

On a trip to the Smoky Mountains, my wife and I had planned on taking our kids on a short hike, and one of our kids picked a trail that was a bit more advanced then our group realized at first. As we traversed rocks and roots along the trail, I carefully watched our youngest to see if she was too tired to continue and if we should turn back.

After only 5 minutes I felt a small hand grip mine. She then stopped me and asked to be picked up.
So I put her on my shoulder for the rest of the hike. So, for the rest of our journey she sat perched on my shoulders pointing the landmarks out to me, not a bit concerned about the terrain.

Trouble comes to us all, it is a part of the human condition of living in a fallen world. Jesus Christ warns us of this fact in John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

We should not be surprised, nor fearful when life brings us issues that seem to big for us to handle or deal with alone. These “tribulations will come” Jesus said, but the response to that is... “but be of good cheer; I
have overcome the world.” It is through Jesus Christ that we have the victory over our issues and pain. He is the answer; and Prayer is the access to Him.

Philippians 4:6, 7 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

As we are coming to a close of the 21 days of prayer. I hope you have developed a new response to trouble, and a new habit of bringing what troubles us to the feet of Jesus Christ. Doing so allows us to rest in the
fact that we have brought it to the right place, and now we can walk in peace knowing he has the answer to the problem.

Like my daughter, who quickly took me by the hand and asked for help, we can pray and have access to the answer (“... you have not, because ye ask not” James 4:2).

Matthew 7:7 - “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”

Take the time today to bring your requests and needs before the Lord, and don’t forget to pray for the needs of others as well.

Below are a few scriptures to remind us we can lay our needs in His hands:

Nahum 1:7 - The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

1 Peter 5:7 - Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Psalms 34:6 - This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

Psalms 27:14 - Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalms 91:1-16 - He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Nahum 1:7 - The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Isaiah 65:24 - And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Mark 5:36 - As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Deuteronomy 20:1-3 - When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee
up out of the land of Egypt.