What’s Your Problem?
Why we have them and what is the solution
We all have a problem, or more accurately, problems. And a problem needs a solution. But how we find solutions as Christians ought to be altogether different than how the world finds its solutions.
Too often, however, we Believers in Christ seek answers from the very world that’s causing the problems! In other words, we look to everything but God. And if we look first to the world for help, we will be sorely disappointed time after time.
Prayer, says Chambers, is the answer. It is the solution to any and every problem, issue, or conundrum. Not just a solution, but the solution.
We’ve written before about not waiting to pray as a last resort, and instead turning to the Lord first. We do not have (the solution) because we do not ask (the Lord) - James 4:2.
Is it pride? Or selfishness? Maybe laziness, or ignorance? Perhaps we’ve not been taught the necessity of prayer, the purpose, the reality, nor the need of it?
Praying is not necessarily easy. Remember Epaphras labored in prayers, that means he worked at it with an effort we might put in to our day job. Praying is not entertainment; it is not recreation or sport or profitable. This is not for mere spectators, but participants.
But praying - for your problems or those of people around us, is the solution. For without praying, the only possible solution comes from ourselves or from the world, and not from the Lord.
The world around us can’t do that, so they rush and rush to get things done, to get more and bigger and better, as if that will make them feel better or be the answer to their problem. As the joke says, “I don’t know how many cookies it takes to make me happy, but so far it’s not 27.”
Why do we have these problems?
In order that we learn to turn to God. We are completely at His mercy, and totally dependent on Him. In order to be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might, we must in humility, ask, seek, and knock.
There was a certain woman who was without a child of her own. She had occasion to visit the temple of the Lord and there, deeply distressed, she wept and prayed. You can read more about Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel chapter one. Hannah had a problem, and her solution was prayer. Then in verse 20 we are told “And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son…” Her son was the answer!
Daniel, too, had a problem. The kings dream needed interpretation or his wise men would be put to death. Daniel told his three companions to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, and in chapter two verse 19, “Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night.”
Problem. Prayer. Answer.
One of our prayer team had a recent problem. Her boss, Jane, is demanding and offers little praise. The staff is always on edge around her. We set out to pray for Jane and this situation. We asked the Lord to bless Jane and give her grace for whatever her own life problems might be. We also prayed for favor in the workplace for the staff and to help them show grace to Jane. The next evening, one of the newer staff finished an assignment and brought it to Jane, who thanked her and said she was doing a good job.
It was a small thing, but real! Prayer is the answer and we are still praying for Jane. What opportunities the Lord gives us in giving us problems, to come to him in prayer and grow in our trust is his faithfulness. We must be aware though, that the answer may be delayed, or be all-together different than we hoped. More on this next time.
Instead of relying on answers from a fallen world where the best solutions fail - to stop a virus, to end a war, or make it rain - Christ followers ask Him who even the wind and the sea obey him.
So, what’s your problem? Take it to the Lord in Prayer!
Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of God
Here are three passages we are praying from this week for the church:
Monday - 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Tuesday - 2 Peter 1:2
Wednesday - 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?
Until Thursday, grace and peace
Photo by Joshua Gresham on Unsplash