Hello my dear friends! Each one of us face challenging circumstances as we follow Jesus. Some are easier to overcome than others. And then there are some life challenges that seem so impossible that we consider any chance of relief as practically non-existent.
Desperate times requires desperate measures. Desperate times requires a sharpening of our prayer life.
In this week's Psalms of Discipleship we gain some valuable insight into the life of the psalmist. He, like we, called upon the Lord in faith knowing that the God of all creation had both the time and the will to listen to him.
Aren't you glad you have the ear of the Lord?
Crying out to Him with you,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #30
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears. Psalm 18:6
Core Value: Prayer
When the disciple of Jesus decides to follow Him, we are given no promises of a problem-free life. In fact, it seems the stronger commitment to Jesus can often lead to greater challenges to one’s faith. To illustrate the point, there is a verse in Scripture that few desire to high-light with their marker and claim the promise of “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:12
The quality of one’s prayer life and relationship with the Lord is often tested in the crucible of desperation. In the book Good to Great in God’s eyes: 10 Practices Great Christians Have in Common, Chip Ingram reminds us of how special prayer is to the Christian believer:
“Not only are great prayers deeply personal, they are also birthed in brokenness. When we come to God with a sense of bankruptcy, knowing we’re in a desperate situation and have no resources to get ourselves out of it, God pays special attention. Brokenness will cause us to pour out our heart to God rather than trying to find the right words or the most persuasive arguments to present to him.” Pg. 103
“Great prayers take God seriously . . . People who pray great prayers actually think God means what he says. Their prayers are promised centered, not problem centered. Because God is sovereign, omniscient, always good, and unable to lie, when he says he’ll do something, he will. Great prayers take the person, the program, and the promises of God seriously.” Pg. 107
Principle #30 & Personal Application: The quality disciple of Jesus Christ does not hesitate to cry out to God for help.
• The disciple of Jesus Christ embraces prayer during times of distress.
• The disciple of Jesus Christ knows where to direct his or her prayer: to the Lord.
• The disciple of Jesus Christ is not too proud to call for help.
• The disciple of Jesus Christ fully expects God to hear his or her cry for help.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Has it been my history to use prayer only during an “emergency”?
When I offer my prayers to God, how confident am I in knowing that He will listen to my heart?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are always a prayer away. Forgive me for the times when I only come to You during a time of distress. Continue to teach me why I can come to You: it is because of Your sacrificial love for me. May our relationship not be founded upon “convenience” but may my prayers to You develop within me a heart of love and devotion to You—both in the good times as well in times of great distress.
The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism
Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2010 All rights reserved.
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