12th day to PRAY for 2015!

Problems and Pressure are the prayers for today!

I have been thinking about these words for a few days now and actually putting off the prayer. I don’t know what to say. I am knee-deep in my own problems and feeling the pressure to manage it all. That is the temptation. The enemy wants me to recite the problem, wring my hands over the problem, succumb to the problem or escape from the problem. He wants me tight, pitiful or disengaged. But . . . .

This is my favorite conjunction in the Bible! There is another option, another story, another way to walk.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

“But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” Mark 4:17

“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8

“I write this, dear children, to guide you out of sin. But if anyone does sin, we have a Priest-Friend in the presence of the Father: Jesus Christ, righteous Jesus. When he served as a sacrifice for our sins, he solved the sin problem for good—not only ours, but the whole world’s.” 1 John 2:1-2 in The Message

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

So, trouble (i.e. pressure and problems) looks to be a given. It also looks to cause us some issue if we are not rooted! That “rooted” step begins in conversation with Father and sinking deep into his word. Last there is reality beyond what we can see and because we call Jesus our brother or friend, we have the armor for the journey – faith, love and hope. The problems have been solved! Father has ultimately won! We are on the side of victory whether our circumstances or feelings show for it. If you believe the Bible, this is the truth written for each of us!

Father, help us to see. Help us to move beyond our circumstance or feeling to the reality of your truth. For our children and for ourselves, we choose to “fix our eyes.” We choose to root ourselves in your word. We choose to put on “faith, love and hope.” Thank you, brother Jesus, that you have solved our problems. In you, we have overcome each one! I don’t entirely understand this, BUT you say it in your word. The temptation is powerless in the sight of your grace! Thank you that you love me and provide a way for me regardless of my understanding or performance. I am taking my heart and resting in yours.