Getting Through Hard Times - Pray

God Wants Us to Ask So He can Bless Us

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

Scripture Comments: You are to ask, seek and knock and be persistent and constant in prayer. Do you watch for God’s answer to your prayers? Do you give thanks when answers come? This doesn’t mean that you will get everything you ask for, only that God will answer. His answer may be yes, no, maybe, not now, or not in your way. Also, no answer is an answer. You will be blessed with God’s will, not your desires.

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Getting Through Hard Times - Pray

Paul Instructed Christians to Devote
Themselves to Prayer

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

Scripture Comments: Paul instructed the Colossian Christians to make prayer important in their lives. Further they were to be watchful and thankful anticipating when the Lord would return. How are you doing at setting aside quiet time each day to be with God? This week is about the importance of being persistent, not giving up in prayer, and making prayer an important part of your daily life. Make a commitment to spend time on reordering your life to include more time building your relationship with God.

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Getting Through Hard Times - Pray

Jesus told His Disciples to Always Pray

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1 (NIV)

Scripture Comments: Jesus gave this instruction: pray always and with persistence, to his closest followers. What does this mean to you? Do you schedule time each day to pray? Are you persistent in prayer even when facing hard times and conflict? What can you do to commit more time in your day to talk and listen to God? If you’re not spending time with God each day, what has replaced him in your life? What has become more important? Just as Jesus directed his disciples to “always pray” you are to do the same. How would your day be different if you made more time for prayer as a priority?

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Getting Through Hard Times - Pray

Jesus Prayed in Solitary Places

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35 (NIV)

Scripture Comments: Do you have a quiet place to pray? Are you willing to get up early in the morning when it is still dark to pray? Have you thought of leaving your house, your friends and family, to find a quiet, solitary place to pray? What would it look like for you to spend quiet time talking and listening to God every day? Don’t wish for the time and place to spend in prayer, make it happen. It is the most important conversation you will have to help you jump over hurdles during your day.

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Live Outside Yourself

Live Your Faith

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:15-17 (NIV)


Scripture Comments: Mere words, prayers or well-wishing does nothing to satisfy someone’s hunger for food, warmth or love. This is just wishful thinking. Words without action are useless. Faith without action is dead and useless. Real faith is accompanied by actions. The faith of believers is seen through the loving actions that flow out of faith. It opens eyes and hearts to receiving the good news.

We all have experienced thinking without taking action regarding reaching out to those experiencing all kinds of needs. During hard times we understandably withdraw within ourselves, weighed down with our circumstances. God calls us to action through our faith, to share and care for one another and carry each other’s burdens when He gives us the opportunity. Opportunities come in good times and hard times. When you share God’s love you will receive many blessings in return.

How has this week’s scripture and comments prompted you to look for ways to live outside yourself. How will you live your faith accompanied by actions in good times and hard times?

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