Speaker: Bro. Bobby Rodriguez ,Elder, The Lord's Flcok Catholic Charismatic Community

“ How To Pray in Difficult Times”

PRAYING TO GOD

P rayer is talking and listening to God. We oftentimes talk to God to petition something. We pray to God when we have problems. We pray in difficult times.

A formula for a simple prayer is ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. There are other ways to pray. Let us remember, however, that our prayers can face a barrier: sins. Our prayers are made useless by our sins. “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.” (John 9:31). “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears turned to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against evildoers.” (1Peter 3:12 ). God will listen to our prayers if we are devout and we do his will.

E veryday, we have opportunities to pray and to affect our future with the words we speak to God. We should not worry even if we say the same prayer over and over again. God hears our words each time we say them. Each prayer has a new life every time it is said. Each prayer sets something in motion in the spiritual realm.

PRAYING IN DIFFICULT TIMES

H ow should we pray during difficult times?

1. P RAY FOR WISDOM - We need wisdom and discernment in order to understand what is happening to us. “But if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it.” (James 1:5).

D uring difficult times when we are under stress, we face the danger of making wrong decisions. We have the tendency to make a decision borne out of desperation. It is always good to ask God for wisdom and discernment.

“I f you seek her like silver, and like hidden treasures search her out: Then will you understand the fear of the Lord; the knowledge of God you will find; for the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:4-6).

W e can gain God's wisdom by doing the following:

a. Seeking God – We gain wisdom by seeking God's heart on a given issue. With God guiding us, making a difficult decision becomes easy.

b. Obeying the Principle of Scriptures – Principle refers to the fundamental law, rule, or conduct. When we set our heart to obey God, He will teach us how to apply the principle of scriptures in our life.

c. Observing the Faithfulness of God – We also gain wisdom by observing the faithfulness of God. “If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13). We gain wisdom when we are not afraid even though we have problems. God is faithful. He will never forsake us or abandon us. (Hebrews 13:5). “For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him.” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

2. P RAY FOR THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - When we have problems, let us pray for the help of the Holy Spirit.

? “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16).

? “But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit will reveal to us answers to our problems. He tells us to rejoice and not to be afraid; there will be good things to come.

3. P RAY TO HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST - Let us pray to have the mind of Jesus. “But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16). “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5).

W hen we ask the Holy Spirit to help us face problems, we pray to have the mind of Christ. He will enable us to endure our sufferings; He will help us focus on the good that God will bring out of the situation instead of the misery that we usually expect. Using our own mind only to solve our problems will result in nothing; we need to pray to have the mind of Christ in order to be victorious in facing our problems.

4. P RAY FOR A GREATER SENSE OF GOD'S PRESENCE - In times of grief, sufferings, or trials, we should ask God to give us a stronger sense of his presence. Feeling God's presence helps us increase our faith and not to be overcome with doubt. It gives us strength standing in God's truth and not being swept away by lies of the enemy or by our emotions. In the presence of the Lord, there is joy, peace, and healing. His presence takes away our fear and gives us hope.

5. P RAY THAT YOU WILL STAY IN GOD'S WORD AND OBEY IT - The Holy Bible is the Word of God. “Keep this book of the law on your lips. Recite it by day and by night, that you may observe carefully all that is written in it; then you will successfully attain your goal.” (Joshua 1:8).

W hen storms are raging in our life, we should hang on something solid like the Word of God. When we face problems, we should apply God's Word that lifts our spirit and strengthens us. God promises comfort to all who trust in the Lord.

? When we are in trouble, Jesus asks us: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).

? When we are lonely, God consoles us: “Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you, and help you, and uphold you with my right hand of justice.” (Isaiah 41:10).

? When we are anxious, the Lord calms us: “Have no anxiety at all, but everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).

? When we are afraid, we proclaim: “God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.” (Psalm 46:2).

? When we face trial , we “ Consider it all joy.” (James 1:2)

? When we need strength, we have God's promise: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

? When we need forgiveness, we have the Lord's assurance: “ If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.” (1 John 1:9).

6. P RAY TO SEE THE GOOD IN BAD THINGS THAT HAPPEN - None of us like the pains and frustrations that we experience during difficult and miserable times. Such experiences may however be as precious as diamonds. We develop a deep relationship with the Lord. We are also blessed when God allows us to be hurt. The story of Joseph, the dreamer, is an example. “Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve his present end, the survival of many people.” (Genesis 50:20).

7. P RAY THAT ALL YOUR EXPECTATIONS WILL BE IN GOD ALONE - Disappointments and sufferings are inevitable because our expectations do not always turn out to be the way we want them to be. We make mistakes by expecting too much from people. Let us put our expectations on God, instead of people. When we do so, we acknowledge that our help comes from God. Whatever comes out of our expectations, we should not run into the arms of bitterness and unforgiveness. Instead, we should run into our Father's arms that can hold and sustain us.

8. P RAY THAT YOU WILL FORGIVE OTHERS - We feel great disappointment when someone fails us. We are hurt by people and we feel unhappy. Our happiness and fulfillment do not depend on people but on God.

U nforgiveness is a sin. If we have unforgiveness in our heart, our prayers, no matter how hard, will not be heard, much less answered, by God. “If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6:15). Let us pray that we forgive others.

O ur happiness does not depend on people who may even be hurting us. We have to forgive those who may have hurt us and not to continue to suffer hurt feelings. We surrender our disappointment to God instead of wallowing in bitterness and blaming other people. Our reward is ultimately in God's hand.

9. P RAY THAT GOD WILL FORGIVE YOU - Sometimes, we have problem due to our own carelessness or despite our best efforts to be careful. We have constant battle with ourselves blaming ourselves on what we did or did not do. We should humbly reach out to God and pray that He forgives us. We should also forgive ourselves for our wrong choices. It is good to examine our motives, thoughts, and action. Let us resolve not to commit the same sin anymore.