” What if We Prayed First? ” by Debra Summers.
We’ve all been there—situations where we feel helpless or, at times, hopeless. We wept until no tears are left. We have been frightened by our circumstances. A parent has been diagnosed with an incurable disease. A child is experimenting with sin, and we see the danger ahead. Or maybe relationships in the family are strained and not getting better. Our hearts are breaking. What do we do? Where do we turn? Is there help for our situation? My friend, I give you Jesus.
We often pray to Him as the last hope when everything else seems to fail. When we have tried everything else, worried, talked to friends, and posted on Facebook, we will turn to Him in prayer in hopes he will pity us and do what we cannot do.
But what if we prayed first?
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) states, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Jeremiah 29:12 (ESV) reads, “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.” What a promise! He listens. He loves us, so we can approach His throne in prayer with confidence and expectation that He will respond to our needs. We should approach Him with prayer, not as an afterthought.
When we find ourselves in these situations, our first response should be to pray. Find that secret place, that prayer closet, or the one spot you meet with Him and pour out your heart. When we do, we are admitting that we are needy and unable to meet the need of whatever the situation is. We pour out our heart to the one who is infinite and all-sufficient.
Imagine what can happen if prayer is the first thing we do. When anxiety, fear, brokenness, and worry try to take over our thoughts and direct our response, let us pray first! Psalm 55:22 says “Cast thy burdens upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.” What a promise. I can leave it there and give thanks. Why? Because He is able.
FROM: Ladies Prayer Intl January 2023 – UPCI Ladies Ministries – ladiesprayerinternational@aol.com