An Honest Prayer
Notes
Transcript
Overwhelmed
Overwhelmed
If there is a word that could sum up this year it would be overwhelmed
So much - too much
This year needed a warning sign -
So how do we deal -
Army - suck it up drive on - put your head down push through
Deal with it yourself attitude
Life is to heavy to carry alone - Christ said we would have trouble - but also said
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
We come by prayer
“It is not enough to begin to pray, nor to pray aright; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray; but we must patiently, believingly, continue in prayer until we obtain an answer; and further we have not only to continue in prayer unto the end, but we have also to believe that God does hear us, and will answer our prayers. Most frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained, and in not expecting the blessing.” – George Müller
Today as we continue our Psummer in the Psalms I want to to share an honest prayer when feeling overwhelmed
Turn to Psalm 142
A Maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the Lord; I plead aloud to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him; I reveal my trouble to him. Although my spirit is weak within me, you know my way. Along this path I travel they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see: no one stands up for me; there is no refuge for me; no one cares about me. I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living.” Listen to my cry, for I am very weak. Rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Free me from prison so that I can praise your name. The righteous will gather around me because you deal generously with me.
Lets Pray
When you feel overwhelmed:
1. Be honest
I cry aloud to the Lord; I plead aloud to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him; I reveal my trouble to him.
When you feel overwhelmed:
1. Be honest
I think sometimes we are afraid to offend God
Like he does not already know our frustration, feelings, and thoughts
There is something healthy about voicing our complaints and burdens
If God is not bigger than our burdens then He is not God
He get’s it - Christ went through it
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.
When you feel overwhelmed:
2. Be comforted
Although my spirit is weak within me, you know my way. Along this path I travel they have hidden a trap for me.
He knows, He hears, He mourns with us
Jesus Wept - favorite verses - not because it is short - but it is a God who weeps with us
Turn it over - don’t pick it back up
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
When you feel overwhelmed:
3. Be careful
Look to the right and see: no one stands up for me; there is no refuge for me; no one cares about me.
When you feel overwhelmed:
3. Be careful
Watch out for woe is me syndrome
When we focus on the issues they become bigger - it is all we see
When we pray our focus turns to God - and we see how big He is
When you feel overwhelmed:
4. Be humble
I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living.” Listen to my cry, for I am very weak. Rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.
When you feel overwhelmed:
4. Be humble
Humility is not making yourself less - it is making God more
It is acknowledging He is God and we are not
It is trusting He is bigger and stronger than all of it
When you feel overwhelmed:
5. Be renewed
Free me from prison so that I can praise your name. The righteous will gather around me because you deal generously with me.
When you feel overwhelmed:
5. Be renewed
“Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!” – Andrew Murray
When you feel overwhelmed:
5. Be renewed
God meets us where we are at - even in the mess and storm
Sometimes He calms the storms, sometimes He rides it out with us
An Honest Prayer
An Honest Prayer
“Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” – Corrie Ten Boom
Which is it for you?
If I am honest often it is my spare tire that I run too in an emergency
It should not be so - Prayer should be integral in our lives and a constant thing
What ever you are facing or dealing with today - Christ knows and is calling for us to bring it to Him
He is calling to trust that He will do whatever is necessary
If you doubt it - look at the cross
This is what communion reminds us of - the promise of what He has done and what He will do
As we share in Communion - bring your burdens, search your hearts, and be renewed
Let’s pray
Communion