Answers to Prayer – Just Beyond the Horizon

Every person has experienced moments of being overwhelmed by current circumstances and how they may impact the future. Emotions are what make us human, and knowing Jesus experienced the emotions we deal with day-to-day gives us courage. Indeed, Jesus and God the Father (in the Old Testament) would often say “Be Not Afraid.” Because God created us, He knows that feelings can weigh upon us heavily – and sometimes they immobilize us.

Jesus continually encourages us during the challenges we face, whether they are minute or monumental. Prayer is a dialogue between God and us. He is the perfect listener and counselor. And so, I will give you some examples of how the Lord counsels us.

When Jesus needed guidance and communion with the Father, He sought a quiet place where He could be alone and pray to the Father. So too must we seek out a place of solitude to be with His Father and our Father. One time when the disciples were searching for Jesus during His time of prayer, they asked Him how to pray. He taught them the perfect prayer of ‘Our Father’ (Luke 11:1-13). In this prayer, it says “give us this day our daily bread,” which indicates we ought to only concern ourselves with today’s needs. Although we may always pray for the tomorrows yet to come, we should not focus our emotional energies on the future. Consequently, we should strive to adopt this new practice with a faith-filled mindset.

In another passage, Jesus relayed a parable that we should not  allow ourselves to have anxiety:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? … But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil” (Matthew 6:25-34).

Know that even if you feel you are on your own, you are never truly alone. Our guardian angel is always present and the Holy Spirit ever dwells within us, as we are temples of the Spirit of God when we become baptized. Even if there are situations causing stress, seek the Lord to prevent anxiety from taking root:

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
Keep your eyes fixed upon Jesus and focus upon the present moment. Ask those around you to pray for you, and perhaps at times you do not need to divulge the particular intention. Every one of us needs prayers, and no prayer is ever wasted. The Lord knows what we need and knows what we will pray for before we even utter the prayer. He will answer our prayers in His time and according to His holy will. When you pray in quiet and in secret remember these scripture verses:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

When you begin to pray, ask the Holy Spirit to envelop you in His Spirit of peace that surpasses understanding. Indeed, the Spirit of God is there to guide us with how to pray and with our intentions, as well as interceding in prayer on our behalf when we cannot muster the words.

The Lord is in our midst, and He is our comforter and guide from dawn to dusk to inky darkness. So great is the knowledge that the Lord’s light dispels all darkness. Jesus is the Light of the world.

“Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
May God bless, guide, and protect you in the unknown horizons yet to come, as you seek to serve His holy will in your life, and in participating in the building up of His kingdom.

Copyright © J. L. Smyth July 17, 2017