The Times Are Desperate: It’s Time to Pray

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These are desperate times—in Afghanistan, in Haiti, in Myanmar, in Cameroon, in Ethiopia, in Lebanon, in the U.S.…. you name it. War, genocides, wild weather, droughts, fires, and floods…you name it. Pandemics, lockdowns, suicides….

Clearly, these are desperate times for our world.  With modern technology we are so interconnected that what happens in some far away place is not only known to us—it has impact on us.

In desperate times people pray.

We pray for safety and protection, for peace and resolution, for solutions and even miracles.  We pray for good and wise decisions from leaders and governments, for an end to atrocities, for protection from natural disasters. And we pray for our own peace of mind and heart and for wisdom and will to help make a difference.

But often we don’t see those good and wise decisions, or the protection we desire. We pray because life is bigger than us, beyond our control.  We pray for our desperate world.

I pray for these reasons. And for others. Here are a few of the things that drive me to my knees, in my own desperation, in my every day needs, and for our very needy world. I pray because:

1.  God Himself desires fellowship with me!!!!!!!!! How can I turn that down!?!

2.  I am so grateful for what God has done for me, so I respond to His love and desire to be with me.

3.  I am desperate–in my own sinfulness, inadequacy, unworthiness. He is the only way to forgiveness and hope and purpose.

4.  When I listen to Him–through His Word, in stillness and quietness–He lavishes love and grace and affirmation on me.  And gives me wisdom and guidance, courage and comfort, and peace.

5.  The work of God is done on our knees. It's where and how we address the pressing problems. Then we go find out what happened.

6.  The task of living the Christ-life is way beyond me–I can’t do it. I must go to Him.

7. The world is so dark and lost--war, oppression, persecution, torture, and all the desperation mentioned above.  Only Jesus is the light and the way.

8. I have so many people I want Him to touch–family, friends, neighbors, the abused, the poor, the leaders…and so many more.

9.  Satan is a roaring lion, seeking to devour, deceive and destroy. He loves to go after God’s servants, and especially their children. I feel compelled to stand against him, and the best way to do that is kneeling.

10.  I recognize my own total dependence on God for everything in my life and ministry. Prayer is the way I express that dependence and access His provision.

The needs and possibilities are so great that I find I pray about everything.  I must, as Paul instructs, pray without ceasing!

What about you?  What desperation sends you to your knees?

c2021 Judy Douglass