5 Bold Prayers for Abundant Life

5. A Prayer for Any of Life’s Problems

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Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary. – Ps. 28:2 NLT

Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. – Ps. 86:1 NLT

Reading the Book of Psalms, we see that many of the psalms are David crying out and pleading to God for his own safety and wellbeing and he knows that God is listening and caring about him. The psalms are helpful to pray for ourselves or for others when going through a difficult time.

As Christians, we know that we need to take our problems and concerns to God first. But how often do we remember to do that?

Don’t we often try to fix things, or try to work out our problems on our own, or ask others for help first?

Maybe we think God doesn’t care about us if we’re having a tough time. Nothing could be further from the truth. God knows that in this world, we will have problems, but he encourages us to remember that, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:32-33)

Sometimes in the midst of our pain and confusion, we’re not sure what we should pray. Like the psalmist, we just cry out “Help me, Lord.” Rest assured that God knows our hearts and our circumstances and he understands those SOS utterings.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. – Rom. 8:26 NLT

God wants us to remember that everything we have, he gave to us so we can trust him with how to manage and orchestrate all aspects of our lives.

May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers. – Ps. 20:5 NLT

Father, it’s not always easy for me to accept problems that come my way. I admit I would like my life to run smoothly and carefree but I know this world is not my home. I want to learn to turn to you first during troubling times, listen for your guidance, and feel your loving arms around me. To God be the glory! Amen.

Enjoying the Abundant Life in Christ

As believers, we’re so fortunate to know a God who loves us abundantly and wants the best for us even when we stray and even when our priorities are not the ones he wants for us. 

Through prayer, it’s comforting to remember that he will always guide us in the direction he wants us to go. Sometimes it will be a subtle nudge, other times like Paul it can be quite dramatic. And aren’t we glad that Paul listened to the Holy Spirit and obeyed? Our lives are richer and more abundant for the guidance the Lord gave us through the writings of Paul—and the prayers he left for us to claim in our own lives.

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰ that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. – Eph. 1:18-20 NLT

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