7th August 2024
Help
This is the 19th in a series of studies on the subject of prayer
‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 41:10 (NIVUK)
It’s not always easy to ask for help, just ask any man whether they ask for directions if they are lost. We can be concerned that we are bothering someone with our problems. We can be apprehensive about becoming a burden to others. We can worry what others might think about us if we ask for assistance. It can seem to us that the more we ask for help the more burdensome we become, and the more irritated other people will be.
However, with God the complete opposite is true. He is pleased, no, more than that, he is delighted when we ask for his help. As far as he is concerned, the more we ask the better it is.
God wants to have a relationship with us and for any relationship to grow and mature there needs to be ongoing communication. This was so from the very beginning. God created humanity in his image to have a deep and meaningful relationship with us.
Through prayer, that relationship is born and nourished throughout a lifetime, or as Paul said, ‘pray continually’ (1 Thessalonians 5:17). There is an interesting verse tucked away in the Psalms where God says, “…call for help when you’re in trouble—I’ll help you, and you’ll honor me.” (Psalm 50:15 MSG). Here God gives a direct invitation to pray to him in times of need.
Sometimes, if not most of the time, we can have the view that prayer’s purpose is to solve our problems; perhaps we need a different perspective. Perhaps God occasionally allows problems to come our way so that we might pray to him and ask for help. God doesn’t want us to be like a male car driver refusing to ask for help when they are lost. Rather he wants us to seek his assistance as we live our lives. As we do that, and as we see that God is a real help to us, it will lead us to honour him.
So, why not get the ball rolling and pray to God today? Not just once but throughout the day. And not just today, but every day. Let’s make it our goal to ‘Never stop praying.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT), and ask for help when we are in need, for he will strengthen and uphold us with his mighty hand.
Prayer
Loving Father, thank you for wanting a relationship with us. Please forgive us for all the times we’ve neglected that relationship by not talking with you. Help us to cultivate a close and intimate relationship with you through prayer, which in turn will bring honour and glory to you. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Study by Barry Robinson
About the writer:
Barry Robinson is a minister in Grace Communion International and Regional Pastor for Southern England, the Midlands, and Wales
Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA
Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm
Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church