Day #75

Begin this time in prayer.

Today we will begin answering several questions from lesson #74.  To understand what we are doing more thoroughly, please click on… Day #74.

Please read James 5:13-14.

What should we do when we are suffering?  What should we do when others are suffering?  Honestly, after the past several lessons on the rich and the poor, we ought to know this answer immediately. We should be praying!! 

Praying is essential to a life with Christ.  Yet, many don’t know how.  And, what’s more, many don’t know why we should be praying in the first place.  I want to share a part of my story on this very topic, in order to speak truth from God’s Word after.  So here goes… please click My Testimony.

Please read James 5:13-14 once more.  The Greek word that we get the word “suffering” from can also be translated “afflicted.”  To be afflicted means to be distressed with mental or bodily pain. 

Did you know prayer is appropriate for every situation of life?  Yet, for many of us, getting on our knees in prayer only happens when we are suffering.   In these times of affliction we tend to whine and say “why?”  Remember our lesson on Job a few days ago?  Remember how Job, his wife, and his friends prayed?  They fell into this “whiney why” trap, didn’t they? 

The more appropriate prayer is to ask “WHAT?”  “Lord, what are you saying in all of this hurt?  What do you want me to get in this?  What do you want me to do?”

Another appropriate prayer is “HELP!!”  This kind of prayer only comes from a believer who has had practice in making much of God and less of themselves.  This person recognizes who God is and that He is THE ONLY SOURCE of help they need.

Sometimes the appropriate prayer is one of praise and thanksgiving.  Please read Acts 16:23-34.  What was going on in this story and what did they do?

TARGET of the DAY

Today, spend time talking with God.   I challenge you to start keeping record of your prayers and updating them as things start to change.  In times of suffering and affliction, it is good to pull out this prayer journal and have physical proof of what God has done with your prayers.  Why?  Because in times of hurting we are weak and our memories are clouded.  Take action now for those times in the future.