Are you facing hard times right now? If you are, then know that it's the best time for you to pray and ask God for His help through prayer.
"But how?" you ask. I understand that it's hard to pray when you are smothered by grief, held back by despair, and choked by heavy burdens. I want to encourage you, and tell you that God sees all that you are going through. He knows what you feel and what you need. In fact, He allows you to undergo what you are going through so that you would learn how to come to Him in times of deepest need. He is our good, good Father who loves us and will never withhold anything that is good for us because He loves us so much.
Friend, this time of hardship and difficulty is the best time for you to come into God's presence, to kneel down in surrender, and to lay down all your requests at His feet. He will turn your mourning into dancing. He will trade your ashes for beauty. He will wipe away all the tears from your eyes. But before He will do that, you need to come to Him.
Are you praying to the Lord for encouragement in this time of need? Here are some Bible verses you can meditate on and think of, or maybe even pray to the Lord.
Hebrews 4:14-16 – "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Psalm 51:12-17 – "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God."
1 Peter 5:6-7 – "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honour. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."
Habakkuk 3:2 – "I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy."
Philippians 4:6 – "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all He has done."
