When Darkness Threatens (Power of Prayer)

Gold Brush Stroke

ISIS. Beheadings. Nepal earthquake. Riots.

I lay in bed and darkness crept in, literally and figuratively, as my mind settled on the unsettling. 

Then with a conscious effort to refocus, I offered this whispered prayer: 

Lord, there is so much heartache out there.
So much suffering. So much brokenness.
And I want to worry.
But worry accomplishes nothing, so I pray.
And really, that is enough.

Thank you for the gift of prayer that lifts me from the mire of worry and sets me on the throne of peace.
With you as the recipient of my prayers, I have nothing to fear. I can walk in confidence and contentment with You.
Always and forever. Amen! 

Power-of-Prayer-Prayer

Not an elegant prayer by any standard, but effective. It provided the peace I needed to drift off in contented slumber, assured that all these needs aren’t lost on God.

God’s not in heaven wringing His hands over the tragic happenings on earth. I assume He is grieved by the destruction we intend for each other and the suffering we face.

But out of His control? Never! 

Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan. ~John Bunyan

An Answer to the Quest for Peace

Prayer is powerful!

In fact, He is the only answer to tragedies. The only hope in the hopeless.

And so in my quest for peace, I’ve learned to talk to God like I never have before.

Growing up, I never really understood prayer. Prayer was simply something I learned to do early on, in a memorized fashion.

And I still can’t say I totally get talking to an unseen but fully present God or why He answers prayer the way He does. 

But through the years, something shifted in my prayer life. I’ve come to realize the depth and breadth of the comfort and strength prayer offers. 

I’ve learned the power of prayer through my seasons of brokenness and bouts of stubbornness. It’s been a long, roundabout journey.

Long ago, my broken heart found a source of hope in an immature prayer of desperation: “Why?”

Recently, that hope was again restored in a plea of desperation: “I know withdrawing isn’t the answer, but I can’t shake out of it. Lord, HELP! If you want me to change, you have to do it for me!”

And He did…

Prayer is enough, because God is enough. Share on X

Prayer Unknowns

It’s funny how prayer used to be such an awkward practice for me. Now I find myself talking to God throughout my day. He rarely gets a break from my monologue (or maybe it’s better called a dialogue). 

There’s still a lot I don’t know about prayer.  I don’t pretend to be an expert on it.

I don’t know if there is a most-effective way to pray. 

I don’t know if some prayers are more powerful or not. 

I don’t know if I always get prayer “right” (if there is such a thing). 

Lessons Learned

But I do know the more I discipline myself to be in the Word, the more I find myself slipping into prayer. 

I do know the more I pray, the more I want to, and the more often I sense God’s presence. 

I do know God hears even the smallest, least elegant, most quietly whispered prayer. 

I do know prayer is what is needed to wipe away my worries and restore the joy of my salvation! 

Prayer is just what we need to find comfort and strength in these days of tragedy and unrest. 

Prayer is enough, because God is enough. 

Prayer is just what we need to find comfort and strength in these days of tragedy and unrest. Share on X

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 

Reflections: What does your prayer life look like? What lessons have you learned about prayer? 

I’m thrilled to link up with Suzie Eller for #livefreeThursday and this week’s prompt, “enough.” I love these special linkups. They provide an abundance of great inspiration and encouragement all in one place. Click on the images below to check them out.

 

 

By His Grace,

Julie

9 Comments

  1. Kristine Brown MTY on April 30, 2015 at 6:01 am

    Julie, I agree that the more we pray, the more we see our prayer life moving to a deeper level. I too don’t think I really understood the power of prayer as a younger person, but the more we study what His word says about prayer, the more we understand its power and purpose. Blessings to you!

    • Yes, Kristine, God is faithful to reveal His power when we open ourselves to it.

  2. Kaylie Hodges on April 30, 2015 at 6:09 am

    I have practically mildewed from tears this week, but in the last few years God has been showing me more and more about prayer and all this just confirms that. Thank you for sharing your heart!

    • I’m so sorry for your heartache, Kaylie. Life can be so darn messy. I can’t imagine how I could cope without dialoguing regularly with God.

  3. Crystal Hornback on April 30, 2015 at 10:09 am

    Prayer is enough, because God is enough…. OH YES! He is our perfect peace, and He hears your prayers!! #livefree

    • And yours, my friend. Hallelujah!

  4. Linda N on May 1, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    Yes! Our pastor is currently doing a series on prayer so your post was especially timely and appreciated. I recommend the movie “War Room” when it’s comes out August 28. I saw the pre-release screening of “War Room” last night, and it’s excellent. It’s about the power of prayer and stars Priscilla Shirer. Based on this post, I think you’d enjoy it.

    • I’ll put that movie on my “to-watch” list, Linda. Thanks for sharing.

  5. Cecelia Lester (Quiet Spirit) on May 1, 2015 at 10:34 pm

    Julie; When things get to looking dark. a friend of mine reminds me that the enemy is rearing his head. She also reminds me we have God to help us through these times of discouragement.

Leave a Comment





Julie Sunne

Hello, I'm Julie, an imperfect wife and mother of four. Life in this broken world is not always easy. Yet, joy can be found in each day through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I find it's easy for our day's blessings to get lost in its happenings. But God's "mercies never end" (Lamentations 3:22) and His "grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

May the posts and pages on this site offer you a measure of peace and encouragement.

Search the Blog

Categories

25 spotlight bible verses
Maintain Godly Focus!

Are you struggling to maintain godly focus in the mess of each day's living? Do you too easily find yourself worrying about circumstances instead of trusting in God's promises? If you answered yes, why not download my ebook. It's filled with 25 power verses with space for personal reflection to help you maintain godly focus, no matter what situations arise.

(Privacy policy: Don't worry, your information is safe you can unsubscribe at any time.)

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

New Book, Just Released!

Sometimes I Forget by Julie Sunne