Overwhelmed, But Praying

You know, some days right now, after receiving another bit of news from a friend or loved one that is painful, sometimes I just want to give up.

Right now the things I have on my intercessory prayer list include: a friend who has been in COVID ICU for 7 weeks, a friend whose 50 year marriage is in trouble, a child custody battle, job losses of those I care about, a friend whose husband just died suddenly, family grand-pet having to be put down, a friend with incurable cancer. And then add COVID pandemic, church reopening, politics and other issues in our country, the need for a huge movement of God…whew, overwhelming! And this is not even my complete prayer list!

Ever felt that way? Wonder if it’s worth it, does it matter if we pray or not? Why aren’t answers coming? Do we have the energy to pray?

As followers of Christ, we must answer, that not only is it worth it, but it’s mandated that we pray. Jesus tells His followers in Matthew 6, “when” we pray….not if! Paul teaches us in Philippians 4:6…

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Did you catch the words “in everything“?

Then he says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18…

“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7 to “ask, seek, and knock…and we will receive, find and find open doors!”

So, we must pray! Even when the needs just keep coming and even if the answers for resolution don’t come quickly! I love how Paul follows the verse in Philippians 4:6 with verse 7…

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

This is how we can continue to pray when there are so many requests and when everything around us seems chaotic. And even when we fear one more piece of hard news coming our way.

We can remember the Lords sovereignty…over EVERYTHING. We don’t have to understand His WHY in these hard situations, but we certainly can understand that He knows, He is in control, and He has a plan.

So, we pray, and we open our hearts and hands to Him and to His will. We pray our requests and trust them to Him. Jesus instructed His disciples HOW to pray in Matthew 6:10-11…

” Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”