Prayer of Praise: Praising God in difficulties, trials and afflictions

Today's prayer of praise to God brings comfort to you dear reader as much as it does for me too. There are issues I have prayed for in my life for years, believing God for His divine intervention. Frankly speaking, for some particular stubborn circumstances that have refused to go away, I did not get the kind of response that I was looking for when I wanted it. Nonetheless, I have certainly received a response from our loving Father in one form or the other.

In some cases, His answers came with a sense of overwhelming peace that surpasses my understanding. To the extent that I have even questioned my self at times, "why I am I not distressed or worried about this issue even though it looks this bad ?". Certainly, as Lord, Christ Jesus described God's peace in John 14:27 perfectly saying; He gives His beloved a gift of peace, a kind of peace that world does not give. I know this peace, I have felt it and I have experienced it when it did not make any sense at all. If you have never experienced it, ask Him for it and He will surely give it to you.

Over time, I have grown to understand the love and compassion of God the Father, through the lenses of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ describes the love of the Father for us precisely in Matthew 6:26 where He says; " Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they?". Surely, God knows our needs and when we need them even before we ourselves grow to know what we need.

There are times when I thought that repeating the same prayer point several times would provoke a reaction from Him. While we are told to continue seeking in order to get an answer, there is a difference between seeking with fervent, effectual prayers and constantly badgering someone with demands. I have been found guilty of doing the later myself many times over. Isaiah 59:1 tells us that God's hand is not so shortened that it cannot save; neither is His ear heavy that it cannot hear. The more that we get an understanding of God's character in His word, the more that we learn how to approach His throne of mercy and grace, tactfully with love just as you would with your own biological parent.

For this same reason, Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving we should make our requests known unto God. It is after all, praise and worship that brought the walls of Jericho down. It might not be convenient and there will be times when you will not feel like praising Him because of the anxiety caused by the state of your affairs. You may not see or feel what He is doing behind the scenes in a particular season or time but let praise never depart from your lips always. The things that God has promised us and given us already in the life to come far outweigh the treasures of this world that moth and rust can destroy; treasures which thieves can break into and destroy.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Psalm 69:29-30, Psalm 34:1-3, Isaiah 43:2, James 1:2, Romans 8:18 and Romans 5:3-4 for scriptural understanding.

Prayer:

Blessed be to you my God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, Father of mercies and God of all comfort. You comfort us in times of difficulties so that we may comfort others who are facing any trials with the same comfort that you have given us. Your abundant grace Father gives us the ability to praise and thank you in the middle of our severe afflictions. I will continue to praise and glorify your name in thanksgiving. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are nothing compared with the glory that is yet to be revealed to me in the life to come.

Not only that, I rejoice in my present sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character and character produces hope. I know that if I remain steadfast under trial, I will receive the crown of life that you have promised to those that truly love you. I also acknowledge the fact that I am not alone, no matter the situation. Your word in Isaiah 43:2 says that when I pass through the waters you will be with me; the rivers will not overwhelm me, when I walk through the fire, I will not be burned and the flames will not consume me.

So I will continue to bless your name at all times even when I cannot see or feel what you are doing. Your praise will always be in my mouth. My soul will always boast in you. There is no God greater than you. You shift seasons and times. You make kings and unseat Kings. As Job said accurately said in Job 1:21, "Naked I came out of my mothers womb, naked I will return, you, my Lord gives and take things away; Blessed be your name". All the praise, glory and honor belongs to you, God of the heavens. In Jesus, mighty name I pray.

Amen.