Prayers for tough situations

How to face situations that you can’t handle can be difficult and challenging.  Here is a prayer for you – the “I Can’t Go There Prayer” – that helps you ask for and receive God’s powerful presence when you face difficult and scary situations you know you can’t handle without God’s help.

1)      Acknowledge that you’re in a situation way over your head.

In my job as a minister I’m often called on to make difficult pastoral calls.  For instance, when I’m entering a hospital room I never know what kind of crisis I’m going to find.  That’s when I rely on “I can’t go there” prayers.

I first discovered the power of this prayer on one of my most difficult pastoral calls in rural Georgia.  I  crossed the road to knock on the door of the miserable looking house across the street from the church.  I was aware that community members felt that there was possible drug use in the household.  There were children in that home, and the church felt such compassion for them.  I was walking into a difficult situation that was way beyond me.  I prayed, “God, go with me, because I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know what to say. I’m not sure I can go in there.”  Well, I muddled through that visit somehow—as well as a couple other visits to that home– but the family did not respond and come to church. A few weeks later, at Bible study, we talked about how we felt frustrated because we didn’t know how to help.  We prayed a simple prayer, “God, we want to have this family in our church, and we don’t know how to make that happen.”   The next Sunday morning, there were all three children, early for Sunday School, and the family continues to be part of that congregation.

Here are some of the feelings that might tell us that it’s time for the “I can’t go there prayer.” We feel inadequate.  We feel ill prepared.  We feel scared, like we’re in over our heads.  We think that we don’t have it in us to handle or survive this tough situation.  Instead of letting these feelings keep us from acting, use them as an invitation to pray for God’s help.

2)      Pray “God, I can’t go there without you.” 

Walking across the road to the rural house that day I said a simple prayer, “God, I can’t go in there unless you go with me.  I don’t have it in me.”

When we pray this prayer we hand the situation over to God and open ourselves to be receptive to his direction and power.  I didn’t use prayer as a magic wand, asking God to make things work out the way I thought they should.   I simply knew that I couldn’t do my job as a minister without having God with me.

3)      Identify with the Biblical “Go with us” prayer of Moses.

Whenever I say this prayer I identify with a powerful prayer of Moses.    He was in a leadership position, yet he was upset all the time, and so aware of his short comings and inabilities.  In Exodus 33 the nation of Israel was traveling through the wilderness to the Promised Land.  Things were horrible:  the people had committed the ultimate sin of making a golden calf idol and worshiping it while Moses was away on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments.  Moses pleaded for mercy as God deliberated over what to do with the rebellious nation.

When God told the people to leave on their journey without Him, Moses prayed, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”  (Exodus 33:15 NIV)  God heard the prayer of Moses and answered, “I will do the very thing you have asked.” (Exodus 33:17 NIV)

Then Moses prayed an even bolder prayer, “Now show me your glory.”  (Exodus 33:18 NIV)

One of the most special revelations of God comes next from which we derive the phrase “Rock of Ages, cleft for me.”  God explained that no one can see His face and remain alive—it’s simply too powerful for people to witness.  Instead God directed Moses to stand in a cleft in the rock where he would be protected as God’s glory passed by.  Moses would be able to glimpse God from the back.  Just as the cleft of rock was a safe place for Moses as God was going by, prayer is a safe place for us, a means of grace.

With a renewed sense of God’s presence, Moses returned to the people to continue leading them.  In Exodus 34 Moses prays the “Go with us” prayer again.  “O Lord, if I have found favor in your eyes then let the Lord go with us.”  (Exodus 34:9 NIV)

4)      Draw Courage from Other Christian Role Models

Whenever I pray the “go with me prayer” I also think about the lives of other Christians that show us what we can do if God’s presence is with us.   A biography that I read and re-read is The Small Woman about the life of Gladys Aylward.  In the 1920’s Gladys had a strong calling to be a missionary to China.  Because she was a parlor maid it took her until the age 27 to finally save enough money to go.  Then she was rejected by the missionary society because they felt she couldn’t learn difficult languages.  Gladys said, “Nevertheless, I will be a missionary.”  She paid her own passage to China and found work helping an elderly missionary.  She eventually became fluent in Chinese and several other dialects.  One day the leaders of the village called on her because the prisoners in the local jail were rioting.  Gladys had absolutely no reason to be asked to do this impossible task except one.  The village leader said, “You’re the one who says you can do all things through Christ.”  Gladys walked into the jail, and because God went with her she was able to calm down the rioting prisoners, and advocate for their needs.

Thinking about her example gives me the courage to go into difficult situations depending on the verse Gladys taught the villagers.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  (Philippians 4:15)

5)      Believe that God is with you.  

Since I began praying that God might go with me into situations that I cannot face alone, I can honestly say that this prayer has always been answered.  I’ve never flubbed up a call or a visit after saying this prayer.  We can surprise ourselves with what we can do if we go in willing and receptive to bear God’s presence.

6)      Use this prayer when praying with others. 

I often use this prayer principle when I am praying with someone on a pastoral call.  For instance, if I am visiting a grieving family I might pray: “God, we don’t know how to do this, how to face life without the person who has died.  We don’t have what it takes.”  Or I might pray with someone having family difficulties, “God, we don’t have the love and patience to deal with this.  But you have infinite love and mercy; make it available to us, for love can change anything.”  Or I might pray in other situations, “Help us later when we’re through this, to look back and know you were with us.”

I find myself using this prayer when I have a sense of call from God to do something.  It’s a prayer that is extremely meaningful when you are bringing the ministry of Christ’s presence to others.

I also use versions of this prayer in my personal life.  For instance, when I am doing sermon prep I pray, “I have nothing to say on my own – this is your church.”

I have found that admitting that we need God is huge for people.  We‘re so self sufficient, but this self-sufficiency will keep us from letting God work.  Prayer brings down those inner walls that are keeping Him out.   It helps us remember that we are blessed with God’s presence and care even when we go through trials and difficulty, and this is a powerful, lovely thing.

See the stories of Moses for similar examples of how he relied on God and prayed to Him. The story referenced here is Exodus 33:12-23.

Copyright Rev. Larisa Parker 2011.  All rights reserved.

prayerideas.org

Father, today we come before you and ask for wisdom. Help Folsade figure out what she should do in her situation. Thank you for your faithfulness to forgive us when we accept your redemption. Holy Spirit, guide Folsade’s words and actions. We pray for Folsade’s enemies. Holy Spirit, work a miracle of redemption in their hearts and break any holds that they have on Folsade’s life.

Jesus, we all need your wisdom in times of trial and tribulation. Really, we just want to walk in your wisdom ALL the time. Change the way our brains work, God. Help us to keep our focus on YOU. We love you, God. Thank you for being You.

www.givenlife.com

Praying the Scriptures over Children is a powerful way to lift up children of any age.  This is the last of three blog posts where we try to give you some practical verses to use.

Prayers for Children in tough situations

Heavenly Father:  Watch over ____________’s life.  Do not slumber or sleep, but keep her from all harm.  Watch over her life, her coming and going, both now and forevermore (Psalm 121:3-8)..

Heavenly Father:  Lord, you have summoned _____________ by name and he belongs to you.  When he passes through the waters, be with him; when he passes through the rivers, do not let them sweep him away.  When he walks through the fire, do not let him be burned.  And when ____________ emerges from these trials, let him know that you are the Lord, that you are his God, that you are the Holy One of Israel, and that you are his Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3).

Heavenly Father:  As we pray for _____________, do not let us be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let us always remember to present our requests to you.  And let your peace, which transcends all understanding, guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

Praying for your child’s relationships

Heavenly Father:  I pray that _______________ would choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray (Proverbs 12:26).

Heavenly Father:  Surround ___________ with friends who will sharpen her as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).

Heavenly Father:  Shape ________________ into a friend who loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17).

Prayers for children and their families

Heavenly Father:  Give ____________ and his siblings endurance, encouragement, and a spirit of unity as they follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth they may glorify you, precious Lord (Romans 15:5-6).

Heavenly Father:  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of ____________’s mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29).

Heavenly Father:  Cause _________ and her siblings to be devoted to one another in brotherly love, honoring one another above themselves (Romans 12:10).

Heavenly Father:  Let ______________ love his siblings, for love comes from you.  Remind him that everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God, and that whoever loves God must also love his brother (I John 4:7, 21).

Heavenly Father:  I pray that _____________ will do everything without arguing or complaining (Philippians 2:14).

www.minister2kids.com

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situationstoughestdeserves

Father, please help my mom and I stay strong during our toughest times. Help her find the job she DESERVES. Help her realize that the finish line to this struggle is so close! I pray for anyone who is going through some though situations. Amen.

Daniella Manrique I’ll pray!

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situationsfinacial

My name is Agnes. Please for my finacial situations. I have debts.

[email protected] I’ll pray!

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throughsituationsleadingdh I’ll pray!

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Bible verse of the day

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Mark 10:27

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