Take it to the Lord in Prayer

Photo by Aaron Burden

The challenge of getting through crisis times is to keep one’s head on right — in other words, to maintain a godly attitude while things appear out of control. It is tempting to grow fearful, to complain, and even to become critical. However, the firm ring of truth from the Scriptures is to always be rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, and continuing steadfastly in prayer, as the apostle Paul encouraged the Roman believers in chapter 12 and verse 12.

What do we have to rejoice about today when things have blown apart by CV-19, income’s down, and folks struggle with losses? When we remain always focused in the cross, the burial, and the resurrection of our Lord, we have reason for great hope that fills our hearts with joy!

Jesus also warned us that in this world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. This fact alone gives us an opening to exercise patience in tribulation (troubles), as our Lord himself declares victory over this old world and all its woes.

Finally, “we should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer,” as the old hymn goes, since we have such a friend in Jesus. He gives us reason to continue steadfastly in prayer to him as he understands all our weaknesses and gives us his strength. This coming Saturday, for instance, we will have a Prayer Walk inviting the community to be steadfast in prayer. Next Thursday, we have a Call to Prayer by Zoom to invite all the missionaries, staff, and board to join steadfastly in prayer together.

Yes, we can keep our heads in the midst of crisis times by rejoicing, being patient, and praying steadily. Will you join in this way together and avoid the temptations to do otherwise? As believers in our Lord, let us be distinctly different from the world around us, as our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly expect our Lord to return for us in victory.

Chris and Beth Matthews have served as missionaries in Spain for fifteen years under other missionary agencies in the areas of sharing the Gospel, discipling believers, training new leaders, and sending out Spaniards as missionaries.