Have you ever had a challenging situation at work? Do you have something that is weighing on your heart? Work issues can be tough to resolve, and they can show up with new employees.
How many people have you shared this challenge with over the last few weeks or months? Have you asked for prayer? Have you prayed about it yourself?
One of the most telling questions I ask folks is, “How many hours do you spend in prayer each week, and how much of that is over the challenge you have?”
Now, think about all the folks you talked with about your challenge.
Where did you spend the most time? Sometimes the reason we have so many challenges is that we spend more time on our horizontal relationships – us to other people, than we spend on our vertical relationship – us to God.
It’s easy to get caught up in the here and now, and take your issues to your friends. Sometimes the godly counsel of a friend is what you need. Although God can work through them, people don’t always have the answers.
God, on the other hand, always has the answers. Sometimes He is the only one that can fix your problems. When you feel a need to talk and talk and talk about an issue, what you may really need to do is spend more time in prayer.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor.
Perhaps it takes a little more work on our part to take our problems to Jesus and find the answers with Him. We have to learn to listen. We have to learn to wait, and we have to learn to count on His listening.
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
Psalms 18:2-3
Are you trying to do everything in your own strength or in God’s? God really does have the answer. If you are struggling with something today, I encourage you to spend more time in prayer.
How long should you pray? Pray at least as long as it takes for you to have peace that God has it under control. Remember to listen for an answer. Remember to thank God for His grace and mercy to see you through.
LIFE APPLICATION
Key Focal Verse:
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
Psalms 66:18-20
Today’s challenge is to pray over your problems until you have peace. Pray until you know in your heart that God has it under control. The challenge is not God’s ability. The challenge is within you. God will give you the peace you need.