Praying in Difficult Times

Stay tuned for encouragement from Our Daily Bread. The devotional for today titled, Praying in Difficult Times, was written by Glenn Pacchium. Author and theologian Russell Moore described noticing the eerie silence in the Russian orphanage where he adopted his boys.

Someone later explained that the babies had stopped crying because they learned that the babies had stopped crying. When we face difficult times, we too can feel that no one hears, and worst of all, we can feel that God himself doesn't listen to our cries or see our tears. But he does, and that's why we need the language of petition and protest found especially in the book of Psalms. The Psalmists petition for God's help and also protest their situation to him. In Psalm 61, David brings his petitions and protests before his creator, stating, I call to you.

I call as my heart grows faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. David cries out to God because he knows that only he is his refuge and strong tower. Praying the petitions and protests of the Psalms is a way of affirming God's sovereignty and appealing to his goodness and faithfulness. They're proof of the intimate relationship we can experience with God. In difficult moments, we can all be tempted to believe the lie that he doesn't care.

But he does. He hears us and is with us. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is Psalm 61. For you, God, have heard my vows.

You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Increase the days of the king's life, his years for many generations. May he be enthroned in God's presence forever. Appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him. Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day. Let's pray. Dear Jesus, thank you for being with us even in our darkest and most trying times. Help us to be open and honest about our struggles and offer you our petitions, protests, and praise, trusting that you will comfort us and carry us through. Thank you, Lord. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening today. My name is Wes Ward, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.