“Take it to the Lord in Prayer”
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6.
* One of our favorite hymns (“What a Friend we have in Jesus”) tells us to take everything to the Lord in prayer. That is the way it should be. But do we actually do it on a daily basis?
* Let me address this issue with you today. What do I see when people have problems? Usually people scramble to find a solution. According to Scripture the solution of all our griefs, heartaches and problems reside in the Lord. Agreed… the way the Lord handles our issues is often through people. He can use people such as doctors, counselors, family members, pastors, friends, first responders and other kind people. God also uses material things, medicine, money, or whatever He wants to in order to bring relief or show compassion to us when we are struggling.
* All that is wonderful, and we have the privilege to take all of our issues to the lord, but sometimes people see as a solution of their difficulties what is no solution at all. What do I mean? Let me give you an example…
* Often when there is a problem in life, instead of “going to the Lord in prayer” we think that the solution is to blame others for it. Yeah, sometimes the problems we face are caused by others, but to blame others out of the blue, when they haven’t done a thing, is not the adequate attitude for us. It will not solve the problem even when we somehow fool ourselves into believing it will take care of the issue. Oh, and often we compound the problem when we tell lots of people that “so and so” is the cause of our problem, when in fact he/she has nothing to do with it.
* In order to clean up that mess, repentance is in order! Yes, repentance! …Asking for forgiveness from God and from the people whom we have blamed for our misfortunes, just as the prodigal son did when he was coming home.
* Instead of trying to find some culprit for our problems, and being anxious about things, isn’t it easier to just plainly and simply give them to the Lord in prayer? Prayer & supplications… then thanksgiving. Why thanksgiving? Because our compassionate God will take care of “it” – whatever “it” is – in His way. That is why we can thank Him even as we make our requests known to Him.
* Here is a story I read a long time ago that will help us illustrate how God does take care of it all. A soldier was brought before his commanding officer and accused of communicating with the enemy. He had been seen emerging from an area where their troops were known to patrol. The poor man summed up his defense in a few words, stating that he had slipped away to spend an hour alone in prayer. "Have you been in the habit of spending an hour in private prayer?" demanded the officer. "Yes, Sir," he replied. "Then" said his commander, "never in your life have you been in more need of prayer than now. Kneel down and pray aloud so we all may hear you." Expecting instant death, the soldier dropped to his knees and poured out his heart to God. His prayer revealed an intimacy with the Heavenly Father. His earnest fluency, his humble appeal for divine intervention, and his obvious trust in the One who was strong to deliver him told unmistakably that he came regularly to God’s throne of grace. "You may go," said the officer. "No one could have prayed that way without a long apprenticeship; the fellows who have never attended drill are always ill at ease for the review.
* So, is there an issue that is bothering you, maybe for years? Take it to the One, the only One Who can solve any and all issues. And if He does not solve them as we want them to be solved, He certainly will give us the staying power to continue on our journey strengthen by His power.
* Go to God in prayer with all griefs, trials, temptations, sorrows… and be at peace!
Rev. Don Sonntag
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6.
* One of our favorite hymns (“What a Friend we have in Jesus”) tells us to take everything to the Lord in prayer. That is the way it should be. But do we actually do it on a daily basis?
* Let me address this issue with you today. What do I see when people have problems? Usually people scramble to find a solution. According to Scripture the solution of all our griefs, heartaches and problems reside in the Lord. Agreed… the way the Lord handles our issues is often through people. He can use people such as doctors, counselors, family members, pastors, friends, first responders and other kind people. God also uses material things, medicine, money, or whatever He wants to in order to bring relief or show compassion to us when we are struggling.
* All that is wonderful, and we have the privilege to take all of our issues to the lord, but sometimes people see as a solution of their difficulties what is no solution at all. What do I mean? Let me give you an example…
* Often when there is a problem in life, instead of “going to the Lord in prayer” we think that the solution is to blame others for it. Yeah, sometimes the problems we face are caused by others, but to blame others out of the blue, when they haven’t done a thing, is not the adequate attitude for us. It will not solve the problem even when we somehow fool ourselves into believing it will take care of the issue. Oh, and often we compound the problem when we tell lots of people that “so and so” is the cause of our problem, when in fact he/she has nothing to do with it.
* In order to clean up that mess, repentance is in order! Yes, repentance! …Asking for forgiveness from God and from the people whom we have blamed for our misfortunes, just as the prodigal son did when he was coming home.
* Instead of trying to find some culprit for our problems, and being anxious about things, isn’t it easier to just plainly and simply give them to the Lord in prayer? Prayer & supplications… then thanksgiving. Why thanksgiving? Because our compassionate God will take care of “it” – whatever “it” is – in His way. That is why we can thank Him even as we make our requests known to Him.
* Here is a story I read a long time ago that will help us illustrate how God does take care of it all. A soldier was brought before his commanding officer and accused of communicating with the enemy. He had been seen emerging from an area where their troops were known to patrol. The poor man summed up his defense in a few words, stating that he had slipped away to spend an hour alone in prayer. "Have you been in the habit of spending an hour in private prayer?" demanded the officer. "Yes, Sir," he replied. "Then" said his commander, "never in your life have you been in more need of prayer than now. Kneel down and pray aloud so we all may hear you." Expecting instant death, the soldier dropped to his knees and poured out his heart to God. His prayer revealed an intimacy with the Heavenly Father. His earnest fluency, his humble appeal for divine intervention, and his obvious trust in the One who was strong to deliver him told unmistakably that he came regularly to God’s throne of grace. "You may go," said the officer. "No one could have prayed that way without a long apprenticeship; the fellows who have never attended drill are always ill at ease for the review.
* So, is there an issue that is bothering you, maybe for years? Take it to the One, the only One Who can solve any and all issues. And if He does not solve them as we want them to be solved, He certainly will give us the staying power to continue on our journey strengthen by His power.
* Go to God in prayer with all griefs, trials, temptations, sorrows… and be at peace!
Rev. Don Sonntag