How to Pray During Hard Times

This is Andy Thomas from the Masculine Journey Podcast where we discover what it means to be a wholehearted man. Your chosen Truth Network Podcast is starting in just seconds.

Enjoy it, share it, but most of all, thank you for listening and for choosing the Truth Podcast Network. Today on Encouraging Prayer, we're going to talk about how to pray during hard times. Now, James, what would give anyone the idea that times might be difficult right now?

I know, I know. We all wish it weren't so, Robbie, but you know, here's this war going on in Europe and inflation is hitting families hard every day. And just the other day, a friend of mine was at the gas station and he looks over and there's a man pumping gas right beside him and he's crying as he's filling up his car because the cost is so high. And there's a baby formula shortage in several states and rising crime rates and it seems like the value of life is being questioned in many places unlike ever before. And when we face times like this, we can either gloss over them and kind of ignore them or we can look at them head on. And that's where prayer comes in.

This is so important for us to do. So tell me, you know, what do you mean by facing challenges head on? Well, what we don't want to do is become so focused on our problems that we forget about the hope that we have because if we run to that hope with our problems, we'll find solutions that we never thought of. Wow, that's so true. God is our hope in all things.

Exactly. And that's really where we want to go today. We can't ignore the problems around us or wish them away, but we can find the best way to maneuver when we are in the middle of them. And that is through going to God in prayer. Psalm 46 tells us God is our refuge and strength and ever-present help in trouble, so we need to run to him. And that means that no matter what is going on in our lives, we have to keep his kingdom first in our hearts and in our minds. So let's talk about what that means because some might ask or they might think that that's an impractical approach, you know, simply nice words.

Yeah, I know. And what it really means is to live for God in everything we do. It's not just words. Because when we do that, when we really live for him, we find ourselves praying a lot, letting him into our everyday circumstances where he already is to begin with. And yet when we do that and we're aware of him and open to him, his strength can flow into us, his thoughts can come into our minds in ways that wouldn't happen if we're just going our own way, as, you know, the Fleetwood Mac says. Yeah, isn't that true that we get our best ideas from God? And they seem to come so effortlessly when we're in prayer like that.

Like, where did that come from? Yeah, right, right. I mean, when you're in the middle of a problem and you give it to God and ask for his help in it, he has ways of planting suggestions and solutions in our minds that we never thought of. They may not come instantaneously, but sometimes they do. And not only that, when we're in the middle of hard times, we need to understand that he is Lord over every situation. And if I read my Bible right, hard times won't last forever.

One day it will all be behind us and we will be with the King of Kings forever in the wonder of all that he is and the beauty of his eternal kingdom. And we've got to keep our hearts and our minds on him, on that. Yeah, we really do because, you know, if we're not careful, our hearts can get pulled into political stuff and we can start to put our hope in people rather than God. And in the Bible, I read that that never ends well. That is so true. But then the question becomes, how do you get away from that?

You know, the truth is, it's hard to run from politics. It's all around us. Just turn on the news, which is supposedly objective, and you'll find there are motives between everything that is said or everything that's not said, because it's done by people. And I think the best thing you can do when you hear the news is to learn how to pray it. And this takes time and a little practice, but every time you hear something that upsets you or concerns you, every time you hear about a real need or an evil in the world, pray about it right then and there as soon as it's reported on. And, you know, if there's something positive that you're hearing, pray for that as well. And so, yeah, turning the news into prayer is a really great way to let God in. And it also helps us keep our motives right when we think about these things, when things are said that, you know, politicians seem to be crazy to us, you know, because this word tells us to pray for those in authority.

Yeah, that's exactly right, Robbie. And we could also add to this that when there are things that are not reported on, you know, the lack of mention, if that's a glaring thing to you, lift that up in prayer as well. Well, that makes sense because God knows all of it, right? So, James, what we're talking about here is really following Peter's advice as to all your cares upon him because he cares for you.

That's right. No need is too small or too large for God, and he really wants us to bring them to him. So, what we need to do is turn our worries into prayer.

Oh, I like that. Turning worries into prayer, that would help a lot. Yeah, especially when you realize how many people are suffering from anxiety and how much it matters for us to receive the peace that only Jesus can give. Think of what he said when he promised his peace, I do not give to you as the world gives, you know. He can give us a peace that the world cannot take away because he is our peace.

And that's really the point of all of this. Keeping our focus on the Kingdom of God, praying the news, casting our cares, it's all about one thing. I like that.

What's that? Well, looking forward to him. Because as we do that, we live with a hope that the world can never take away. And because of that, we can find ourselves blessed, no matter what our circumstances, because we have him to look forward to.

An eye is not seen nor ear heard, nor mind conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. Exactly. Robby, would you pray that we can keep our focus right, keep our hearts where they need to be in all of this?

Yeah, absolutely. Let's pray. Jesus, Lord, thank you so much that we can turn to you with so many unbelievable circumstances that we seem to face every day. Lord, help us to just immediately have that reaction, whether it's listening to the news or hearing something from someone that we would turn to you first. And help us set our minds and hearts on you. And we ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. You can hear more from Pastor James by visiting his website, jamesbanks.org, or by visiting Peace Church in Durham, North Carolina. May God bless you and encourage you as you pray.