Most Loving God, there are times when I’m experiencing stress and turmoil and I cry out to You for help and nothing happens. I feel like You are ignoring me and my prayers. I finally begin to wonder if You care about me at all. I’ve come to understand that these feelings of hopelessness and helplessness are the works of the Devil trying to get me to lose faith in You. When I stop to think, I realize there is no need to doubt. After all, if You care about a sparrow, then surely You must care more about Your very own. I must accept the fact that, if there is not some clear reason why You did not respond to my pleas, then perhaps this is merely a testing of my faith designed to strengthen me. Whenever I begin to think You do not care, Your reply is “why are you so fearful?” or “why is it you have no faith?” You have promised me over and over again that, if I will just believe, I would have whatever I asked for.
In crossing the Sea of Galilee one evening, Your disciples encountered an unexpected and violent storm that tossed them about and was swamping their boat. You were asleep in the back of the boat and seemed unaware and unconcerned over their plight. The disciples panicked because the storm threatened to destroy them and asked “Teacher, don’t You care if we drown?” This story makes me think about the storms in my life which cause me great anxiety. In those times, I can panic, become fearful and doubt whether You know or even care about what I’m going through … or, I can resist the fear and put my trust in You. When it seems like You are holding back on answering my prayers, I need to recount the many times I’ve called on You and my prayers were answered. I can’t forget that Your timing rarely coincides with mine, but Your timing is always perfect.
I realize that I have no one like You who genuinely takes an interest in my welfare. Others are occupied with their own needs and do not take time to consider mine. That is why You instruct me to not become anxious over anything, but in everything by petition and prayer, with thanksgiving, present my requests to You so that Your peace can guard my heart and mind from doubting Your care and concern. As I humble myself before You, admitting I cannot get along without You, I am able to see the depth of Your love and concern for my welfare. I sometimes falsely believe that my struggles are the results of my sins and You have no interest in helping me resolve them. However, if I turn to You in repentance, You willingly bear the weight of those struggles for me. Therefore, I must learn not to submit to my circumstances and, instead, submit to You who controls them. Through a multitude of instances showing me Your love, I am now convinced that You do care for me. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
II Peter 5:7 Cast all Your cares on Him because He cares for you.
Larry ~ Thanks so much for sharing another powerful prayer! I love your comments about not submitting to our circumstances but to The One that controls them – so true!!!
Larry,
A powerful Word from you, in this week’s prayer. Always appreciate how you weave Scripture into your Prayer.
Grateful for your Prayer ministry, & for its impact on many lives, a so you are mightily used to call each of us to a deeper, more faithful commitment to prayer.