Are You In Trouble?

Is anyone of you in trouble? He should pray.” James 5:13 (NIV)

James writes in the final chapter of his book, encouraging all to pray and seek the Lord in their time of trouble.  What is interesting is that James begins his book telling believers to consider it all joy when they are in trouble, and ends the book by telling them to pray. James argues in chapter1 that hard times develop us and make us mature and complete.  When we look back we all know this as we see God teaching us and showing us how to trust him.  In the midst of the trial or trouble we are often brought to the brink. James knows as we now know, the hardest times of our lives are exactly that, hard.

James certainly includes all of us.  We all have trouble.  We all deal with disappointment, temptation, crisis and loss.  It is easy for all of us to think that the battles we face are all earthly.  We think if we change our situation, rid ourselves of certain people, set things straight in our lives, we will be delivered from trouble.  The reality is we often just trade the size, color and shape of the trouble for another size, shape and colorful problem.  Our focus in times of trouble is many times misguided.

Paul writes; For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Eph. 6:12 (ESV)

When trouble hits our lives, we must engage in the spiritual battle that rages. To engage the battle on the correct battlefield is to pray!  Romans 8:26 reminds us that we in our own ability do not even know what to pray for.  We must pray and rely on the Spirit.

Paul writes, And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Eph. 6:18 (NIV)

When life happens to us and we find ourselves in need, remember 3 things in your response.

1. The moment we find ourselves in trouble, we should pray.  God is doing a work in us, but we should rely on him and his power to work in the midst of our suffering.

2. Remember that the battle is not ours and we must rely on the Spirit. Our prayers must be in the Spirit as we seek the Lord, he really knows what we need.

3. Remember to never stop praying.  Trouble is never momentary and we must stay in contact with the Lord.

At Cornerstone Church where I serve, we are having a prayer conference Friday Oct 10 and Sat Oct. 11 find information at www.ccsbc.org. Your invited!!!

In our prayer meeting last night we prayed that our church would be a house of prayer. We desire to be a people who instinctively seek the Lord, because you know the tough reality is that trouble may just be around the corner.  Be ready, be equipped and PRAY!

See you in church.