Women who faithfully pray still get sick. Life still disappoints. Children cause grief, husbands lose jobs or much worse, lose interest in marriage.
Yet these women still pray.
By praying, they know, “In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old” (Isaiah 63:9).
He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.
(Psalm 147:4-5)
Photo credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/S Stolovy (SSC/Caltech).
We are small. Our earth is the white dot at the ten o’clock position between Saturn’s bright main rings and the thinner grey-brown ring.
I ask, “What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention (Job 7:17)?”
I wonder why when, “I call to God, he hears my voice (from Psalm 55:16-17).”
And then I remember, “God is love. . . . For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (1 John 4:16; John 3:16).”
Photo credit: Infrared, visible and ultraviolet light by the Cassini Imaging Team at NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute.
“Nothing pleases God more than praise as a part of our prayer life, and nothing blesses someone who prays as much as the praise that is offered.”*
It is good to praise the Lord (Psalm 92:1).
*Henry Cowman as quoted in Streams in the Desert, p.299.
David said, “The Lord is the stronghold of my life. He will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble. I believe I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord (from Psalm 27).”
David prayed: “Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud. Teach me your way. Lead me on a level path. False witnesses have risen up against me (from Psalm 27).”
Speak what’s true about God. And then pray.
Friends gave us a book. Twenty-one years ago. I just started reading it.
Perhaps a gift you’ve given is sitting on a shelf. Perhaps your prayers are yet unanswered.
“And Patience was willing to wait.”*
*L.B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert, p.339.
Whenever I pray, I make my requests with joy (from Philippians 1:4 NLT).
Joy is the settled and unwavering conviction that a very good God is always in control.*
*Bill Pinalto, https://www.edgebapt.com/sermons/sermon/2019-09-08/joy-in-christ-and-one-another
Due to circumstances beyond his control, a winsome young man has found himself in a disappointing job. Day after day he enters a prison-like gray cubicle. He doesn’t see sunshine. Or clouds.
He struggled with depression. Until now. Every morning he enters his cubicle and pauses to imagine Jesus. Sitting there. Waiting for him.
He is finding joy.
The Lord has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).”
