“If prayer is birthed out of desperation, then anything that makes us desperate for God is a blessing.” – Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

 

Most of what we fear doesn’t actually happen. Still, many people live by the adage that, “Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.” But what about when trouble actually does come true? Will we crumble? Rage? Collapse? Realistically, you may do all of that, but then what?

 

In this fragile, fallen world, when trouble grips our hearts it can shake us to the core. Let me tell you, there have been countless times in my life when I’ve cried out dear Lord, I’m not up for this—but You are! Oh God, my help and my strength, rescue me!

 

Embedded deeply in the Old Testament pages is an amazing story of a king of Judah. He received devastating news that his kingdom was under attack, surrounded by fierce enemies. Do you know what he did? Scripture tells us that, “King Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:3 NIV). He prayed, “Oh Lord, we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

 

For me, this is no one-off, once-in-a-lifetime prayer. Daily, I need wisdom. Daily, I need strength. This side of heaven, the battle is all around us. It’s good to acknowledge and embrace our weakness. It forces us into greater dependence on the strength that only God can provide. Will we be shaken or unshaken?

 

Hear God’s answer to Jehoshaphat and to all of us. “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15b NIV).

 

The people of Judah fought their battle with a surprising weapon . . . praise! They stopped focusing on the situation they couldn’t handle and determined to praise the God who could and would handle it. Do you know what happened?

 

“As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men . . . who were invading Judah, and they were defeated” (2 Chronicles 20:22 NIV).

 

Today, right now, let’s do what they did. Let’s take our deepest worries and turn them into prayers. Let’s train our minds to take the focus off the problem and, instead, look to our all-powerful God!

 

What are you facing? Tell God what it is and how you feel. God listens to the trembling prayers of the weakest saint. Choose to pray and praise the God who is waiting for us to call out to Him.

 

Dear Lord, we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You. You tell us our prayers will make a difference. We don’t need to know how, we don’t need know when—just please give what we need when we need it. You are wiser, stronger, and so much more compassionate than we can conceive. We praise You for who You are. We praise You for what You have promised to do for us. Forgive us for taking our eyes off of You. Increase our faith and go before us to vanquish every enemy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8