Today’s Devotional: Prayer in the Face of Frustration
I’m going through a a disappointing situation right now. Without getting into the details, a personal situation I was excited for has gone from hopeful to unsalvageable over the past week. To say I’m frustrated would be an understatement.
However, like many frustrating circumstances in life, it has provided daily (often hourly) opportunities to test my commitment to Jesus’ famous words in Matthew 22:37-40:
“Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
It’s easy to love God when life is full of blessings. Likewise, it’s easy to love your neighbor when everyone is being friendly. But what about when your expectations are dashed and your neighbors are decidedly unfriendly? What I’m re-realizing through this experience is that prayer is incredibly necessary. I’ve been praying for God to take my worry and replace it with His grace and His peace. And, unsurprisingly, whenever I can rise above my own issues enough to lay them before God, He has been faithful in answering that prayer.
Perhaps you’re in a similar situation. Have you taken time to pray about the situation? What would it take for you to exhibit God’s love to the people involved?
thanks 4 remind me this…I’m in the same situation now…so tired and sad to face it until now…I realy need His wisdom and power right now…GBU.
I believe it is essential for us to go through things that have to die in our lives in order for the Lord to resurrect us not only anew in His power but to divinely reorchestrate things for us whether it be a new “season” in our life or a new exploration of events we would not avail ourselves to should our past situation remain the same. Oh but does God know what we need; His methods are not always conventional but that is why God is God and we are not. We all need a good shaking to the core to see what is in us; are our roots as deep as we thought they were? We are in a time where everything that can be shaken will be. Will we rise and rise with a good attitude or will we adopt a victim mentality and stagnate in our Spiritual maturity? God has to test us, and strip us sometimes so seemingly it appears it is just us and God….and that is a great revelation because we learn to depend on Him alone for our sustenance and not lean on the arm of flesh. He is testing His people across the land today in many ways to see their choices and suitability of readiness of front line warriors. We can do without much in the natural for with HIm He more than makes up the difference. I am ready to go up another level and know it invokes unique “happenings” . I want to trust God on all levels and never blame Him but further lean on Him as He empowers us in our weakness. God draws us to the throne in prayer especially during trials. It is so important to try to hear the still small voice leading. In persistent prayer, sometimes when we least expect it, our answer or miracle lands, not when we would like it to but always lovingly in His timing.
Hello Chris,
I read your bolg today and something touched me in the inside. Lately, I have not felt the need to pray. I think it’s becasue of issues that can’t get solved right away. People just being people and not remembering why they are called Christians.
I wanted to read my Bible this morning but your blog says it all. I guess I just need to pray to God and let Him see my heart. Sometimes, I imagine what Jesus felt when He went to another City becasue He knew His own people would dispise Him.
Thank you for this day Chris.
Yate, you’re welcome! I do hope you take some time to sit down and pray. Sometimes all you need to do is “show up” if you know what I mean. Blessings to you.
Thanks for the refresher, I needed that.. God Bless you!!
Hi, Chris. I remember a day when I was shocked by the life circumstances in a such a way that I could not pray. I felt as if life itself fled away from me. There was a prayer warrior who would call me daily and pray for me. The words of the payer were healing to my wounds and breath of life to my spirit. I was not able to respond but I felt my burdens being carried by that person. I could hear it in the cry of that person’s soul and in the plea on my behalf. The time has passed since and I started learning to trust God. Even if it feels like I am stepping on the thin air, I trust God. May peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
prayer is the most important thing to do. especially when you wake up in the morning. be thankful for waking up another day. always thank god for what you have. and dont worry for the things you dont. health and family is your priority. but god comes before all. in order to sustain all in your life put god first.