A PRAYER FOR GOD’S HELP

How many times do we ask God to deliver, lead and bring us out of trouble?

Particularly as a caretaker, something’ is almost always going on. God’s past

faithfulness encourages David (author of this psalm) to call on the Lord to help against

present enemies (vv1-6.) He prays for God to act quickly, not only to deliver him (vv7-9,)

but also to teach David to do God’s will (v.10.) Can you identify with any of these

passages, titled Prayer in Distress? In the morning, do you start your day asking the

Lord what path is best for you to walk, as you entrust your life and seek God’s face?

As you reflect in the last sentence, believe you have already been given all you

need to be true and faithful. Ask God’s help to begin this day with a mind focused on

the will of the Lord and a heart bursting with gratitude for God’s blessing. It is not

complicated, as we are always invited to come before the Lord and bring our fears,

needs and hopes. It says in Psalm 56:4-5, “When I am afraid, in You I place my trust. I

praise the word of God; I do not fear. What can mere flesh do to me?” It is not a matter

of ‘if’ we feel fear, but ‘when.’ Yet when fear comes, it need not victimize us. We can

see fear as a fresh opportunity to trust God. Most often we can ask God to inspire us to

do it afraid and trust in abundant grace.

In psalm 56, David also felt fear and turned to God to express trust because he

was determined God was with Him. Could God be reminding that we do not have to

rush or hide how we feel because God is with us through it all? The verse doesn’t say,

“When I am afraid, I stop being afraid.” It says, “When I am afraid, I trust.” Both can be

true at once. All can be turned over to the Lord with unseen courage.

Unseen courage is choosing to keep going, to keep believing, to keep showing

up even when you are tired or unsure. This next Scripture encourages, “Be strong and

take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:25. Norman Vincent Peace wrote,

“Do not be afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create

that fact.” Can you be deeply hopeful knowing that small acts of faith can shift how you

see and live your days?

Steady, faithful persistence is its own kind of strength.

The word October can be a source of wisdom and peace, as we attempt to follow

– O-open your heart, C-choose peace, T-trust God’s timing, O-offer thanks, B-breathe

deeply, E-embrace today, R–rest in Him.