Take it to the Lord in Prayer

Good morning dear friends

As I faced a hectic day last week, I found myself singing the words of this Hymnal.

What a friend we have in Jesus

1What a Friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

2 Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3Are we weak and heavy-laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge—

Take it to the Lord in prayer;

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer;

In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

Dear friends

Prayer should be our first choice

Not our last resort.

In our busyness

In our turmoil

In our trials

In our troubles

Let us take it all to God in prayer

Amen

Just wrote those words and thought they would make an excellent poem

But what makes us not just voluntarily and simply take it to the Lord in prayer?

We can feel we have done something wrong the intensity of the fire and troubles.

But no dear friends.

The account that comes to mind is the one detailed in

Mark 4:35 - 41

35 On that [same] day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee].” 36 So leaving the crowd, they took Him with them, just as He was, in the boat. And other boats were with Him. 37 And a [e]fierce windstorm began to blow, and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already being swamped. 38 But Jesus was in the stern, asleep [with His head] on the [sailor’s leather] cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?” 39 And He got up and [sternly] rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still (muzzled)!” And the wind died down [as if it had grown weary] and there was [at once] a great calm [a perfect peacefulness]. 40 Jesus said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith and confidence [in Me]?” 41 They were filled with great fear, and said to each other, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Let us note from the account above Jesus slept during the storm - he remained in a position of faith and rest.

He knew the Father's will to get to the otherside. So he would not be shaken by anything that came his way.

He was able to take authority over the troubles in this case it was a storm.

I remind you dear friends being in relationship with God doesn't exempt us from troubles, but God will sure use everything thing that comes against us or that we walk through for our good and his glory. God will definitely turn it around and make it beautiful in his time.

So dear friends the next time something unexpected or tumultuous comes our way.

Don't miss a beat or step - remember to take it to God in prayer. Stop right where you are at and "Take it to the Lord in Prayer" you will find that peace that passes all understanding and as you listen to God carefully, he will give you strategy - whether it is to rebuke the contrary winds or ride out the storm. God will take you through.

Just trust him every moment. Imagine being buffeted from every side and you response is Lord I am rooted and grounded in your love and therefore I can never be moved, I trust you Lord. I take everything to you in prayer and leave it with you. I choose to remain in your peace in Jesus name.

Take it all to God in prayer. He will take you through and keep you

Amen

Walk good in Christ

Till we meet again

Pastor J