Summer of Prayer 2: Praying for Strength in Trials - Pastor Lisa Durant
Key Scripture:
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16: 33
This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1: 1-4 (NLT)
God’s Word is filled with stories of men and women who endured difficulties and trials. And even though many of these men and women loved God deeply and served Him boldly they still encountered trouble. And we aren’t promised anything different.
The good news: We can go to the One who strengthens us and helps us with the things that burden us and weigh us down.
Praying through trials gives us strength and direction during times of confusion.
Example: Jehoshaphat
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help. 2 Chronicles 20:12
THE GOD WE PRAY TO:
God who does NOT lie
This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. Titus 1: 2
The ROCK whose ways are perfect He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is! Deuteronomy 32:4
God of the IMPOSSIBLE
He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” Luke 18:27
God who is STRONG to help
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Praying through trials strengthens and encourages our hearts.
Example: Hannah
Scripture: 1 Samuel 1: 1-28
15 “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. 16 Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.”
17 “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.”
18 “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad. 1 Samuel 1:15-18
Spending time with Him encourages us, even when the answer has not come yet.
Praying through trials creates an overflow to encourage others.
Example: Paul
Scripture: Philippians
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy. Philippians 1: 3-4
He was honest about his suffering but he was filled with joy as he prayed and that joy overflowed as he wrote to the believers in Philippi and he encouraged them to depend on the Lord, just as he was doing.
Praying through trials brings maturity and strength of faith.
Example: James
Scripture: James 1: 1-4
As we experience trials, praying through them brings maturity and strength of faith.
1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!
2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1: 1-4 (NLT)
God, in His great mercy, will sometimes deliver us from difficult circumstances and trials. But there are times when He allows things to arise so that we will experience a challenge that will give us a deeper relationship with Him and a wisdom and maturity , a strength and endurance, that will ONLY develop in prayer.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Thessalonians 5:18
There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still.
Corrie Ten Boom
Going to God in prayer and asking Him to bring us strength is going to produce something in us that is greater than we can imagine.
Jesus said to His disciples:
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16: 33
Finding strength in time spent with Him is only possible because Jesus made a way for us.
Promises to pray over your trials:
For Anxiety, Overwhelm, Trouble:
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior Isaiah 43: 1-3(a)
For the Heavy hearted, Grieving, Illness:
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. Psalm 34: 15-19
For those in Tests of Faith, Relationships, Various trials
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5: 3-5
Resources:
Leveling the Praying Field by Donna L. Barrett
Praying the Bible by Donald S. Whitney.
God Is Faithful: A Daily Invitation into the Father Heart of God by David Wilkerson
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom