Finding Peace During Troubled TimesSample

PRAY HARDER WHEN IT’S HARDEST TO PRAY!

One of my (Alex’s) favorite prayers is found in the first chapter of Nehemiah. During the exile, Nehemiah hears that the remaining Israelites in Jerusalem were in bad shape.

“The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire. As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” (Nehemiah 1:3-4)

When life is hard, we often find prayer is not that difficult because we are crying out for help. But when life is REALLY hard, we can find ourselves at a loss for words. 

But, no matter the circumstance or how bad you feel, you need to make your requests known to God. It’s not your job to question God, but it is your job to earnestly pray to Him for answers. In Matthew 7:7–8, Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” 

Jesus commands us to keep on asking, seeking and knocking with confidence because our heavenly Father delights in giving us good gifts (see James 1:17). 

Open up Nehemiah 1 and follow his example of what to pray when it’s hardest to pray. 

1:5 - He reminds himself of the goodness and love of God 

1:6-7 - He confesses Israel’s sin (and his own sins) before the Lord 

1:8-10 - He remembers the Lord’s promises

1:11 - He asks to be heard and given success and mercy 

God is eager and ready to provide big-time answers to your prayers, but you need to come in a spirit of humility and in faith. And when you do, you will start seeing what the power of prayer can do.

Prayer: Father, may I follow in Nehemiah’s footsteps when it’s hard, and I don’t know what to pray or even lack the desire to pray. I ask that You move me to fast and pray in the face of suffering around me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Action Steps: Use your Bible as a prayer book. You can pray the Scripture back to the Father by simply switching up the pronouns in the text and making it your own.