Pray Week 871

“Kneel Under Pressure”

…We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure… (2 Corinthians 1:8 (NIV))

Many of us are going through, or know someone who is going through some very trying times. It may be burdens in our families and personal life or it may be difficulties stemming from business and economic pressures. No matter the source of the difficulty, many are nonetheless ‘under great pressure, far beyond their ability to endure’.

It is in my nature to ‘fix’ things and I find it frustrating that I cannot ‘fix’ my own pressure circumstances let alone immediately alleviate the pressures that others are enduring. We sometimes talk about being under great pressure as Paul wrote and we use the phrase ‘it brought me to my knees’. In a way, being brought to our knees at such moments in our life is a good thing. It is from that humble posture and perspective that we call out to God in praise and worship. That is when the God of all comfort will ‘come near’ and comfort us as only He can. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) Notice the following from 2 Corinthians 1:3-11:

God is the source of our comfort when we are burdened. (v4)

God uses trials that we cannot fix on our own to teach us to rely on Him and not on our abilities or on the abilities of others. (v9)

God allows us to be afflicted so that He may comfort others through us. (v6) People find it difficult to accept comfort from those who have not experienced trials themselves. Having gone through it by the grace, mercy and power of God we can better relate and offer hope to others in His Name.

God continually delivers us through our trials. (v10) Our hope must always be in Him.

Prayer is an effective help and blessing for those who are burdened. (v11) Prayers lifted up on behalf of others are a powerful weapon against the enemy who seeks to discourage the burdened and steal their hope. Never underestimate the power of ‘prayer cover’ for those who are at their most vulnerable moments of despair and sorrow.

If you are being brought to your knees under the pressure of life, call out to God and know that He will be there to wrap you in His love, mercy, peace and comfort. May you rest in the hope and assurance that He will deliver you and that your trial is only for a season – for His good purpose to bless you and to bless others.

Do not neglect to be Christ to those who are burdened beyond their ability to endure. Our human tendency is to ignore and shy away from them as if their trial were a contagious disease. In our busy society we move so fast and our agendas are so packed out that it becomes a bother to take the time to encourage someone in the Lord. (Hebrews 13:3)

As Christians we must not selfishly withhold the good of the Lord. (Proverbs 3:27) If you know someone going through a difficult time be there for them and bring them the comfort that the Lord has brought you. Make room in your prayer time for intercessory prayers for those you know who are in need of God’s comfort and deliverance.