When Darkness Threatens (Power of Prayer)

ISIS. Beheadings. Nepal earthquake. Riots.

I lay in bed and darkness crept in, literally and figuratively, as my mind settled on the unsettling. 

Then with a conscious effort to refocus, I offered this whispered prayer: 

Lord, there is so much heartache out there.
So much suffering. So much brokenness.
And I want to worry.
But worry accomplishes nothing, so I pray.
And really, that is enough.
Thank you for the gift of prayer that lifts me from the mire of worry and sets me on the throne of peace.
With you as the recipient of my prayers, I have nothing to fear. I can walk in confidence and contentment with You.
Always and forever. Amen! 

Not an elegant prayer by any standard, but effective. It provided the peace I needed to drift off in contented slumber, assured that all these needs aren’t lost on God.

God’s not in heaven wringing His hands over the tragic happenings on earth. I assume He is grieved by the destruction we intend for each other and the suffering we face.

But out of His control? Never! 

Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan. ~John Bunyan

An Answer to the Quest for Peace

In fact, He is the only answer to tragedies. The only hope in the hopeless.

And so in my quest for peace, I’ve learned to talk to God like I never have before.

Growing up, I never really understood prayer. Prayer was simply something I learned to do early on, in a memorized fashion.

And I still can’t say I totally get talking to an unseen but fully present God or why He answers prayer the way He does. 

But through the years, something shifted in my prayer life. I’ve come to realize the depth and breadth of the comfort and strength prayer offers. 

I’ve learned the power of prayer through my seasons of brokenness and bouts of stubbornness. It’s been a long, roundabout journey.

Long ago, my broken heart found a source of hope in an immature prayer of desperation: “Why?”

Recently, that hope was again restored in a plea of desperation: “I know withdrawing isn’t the answer, but I can’t shake out of it. Lord, HELP! If you want me to change, you have to do it for me!”

And He did…

Prayer is enough, because God is enough. Click To Tweet

Prayer Unknowns

It’s funny how prayer used to be such an awkward practice for me. Now I find myself talking to God throughout my day. He rarely gets a break from my monologue (or maybe it’s better called a dialogue). 

There’s still a lot I don’t know about prayer.  I don’t pretend to be an expert on it.

I don’t know if there is a most-effective way to pray. 

I don’t know if some prayers are more powerful or not. 

I don’t know if I always get prayer “right” (if there is such a thing). 

Lessons Learned

But I do know the more I discipline myself to be in the Word, the more I find myself slipping into prayer. 

I do know the more I pray, the more I want to, and the more often I sense God’s presence. 

I do know God hears even the smallest, least elegant, most quietly whispered prayer. 

I do know prayer is what is needed to wipe away my worries and restore the joy of my salvation! 

Prayer is just what we need to find comfort and strength in these days of tragedy and unrest. 

Prayer is enough, because God is enough. 

Prayer is just what we need to find comfort and strength in these days of tragedy and unrest. Click To Tweet

“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.” Philippians 4:6-7 

Reflections: What does your prayer life look like? What lessons have you learned about prayer? 

I’m thrilled to link up with Suzie Eller for #livefreeThursday and this week’s prompt, “enough.” I love these special linkups. They provide an abundance of great inspiration and encouragement all in one place. Click on the images below to check them out.

By His grace ≈

Julie