Leaning on God in Prayer

What would you do if you were not afraid? That’s one of the coaching question we use in PLI Leadership Essentials coaching. It captures the imagination of leaders in certain times. It is obviously germaine – and even more so – in these uncertain times.

But this is also a question for you. I’m not talking about being irresponsible. I’m not talking about putting God to the test. I’m talking about not cowering in fear. I’m talking about moving forward in life with the confidence of God’s faithfulness and promises, and an eternal perspective.

How do we get there? Pray. Pray with boldness. Pray believing in God’s promises. Pray in unity with others. Pray in the name of Jesus – that is as though Jesus himself is offering this prayer to the Father. Pray with us this prayer (written by Pastor David Schultz):

PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH

Please join your pastors and leaders at St. John in a time of intimate, but relevant daily PRAYER.

Heavenly Father, we give all glory to You for inviting us into your presence through prayer. Our thinking would encourage us to believe that we had something to do with this invitation, but in reality, we have been short-circuited from Your presence by our sin, our brokenness, and in some cases, by our arrogance. We come only as beggars seeking the promises of your Word. Besides living in a world of sin, we are daily reminded of our own frailty, that if left unattended, would drive each of us to despair. But with You, there is forgiveness, hope and restoration. That helps us to see the world in its present disarray in a different light. We see that lantern of Grace continuing to shine brightly in dark and dismal places to bring hope to the hopeless, confidence to the collapsing, and Your peace to those panicked by fear.

We are not privy to the reasons we are walking on this dangerous road or across the rickety bridge of medical uncertainty with this issue of coronavirus, but You know. Nor are we this day confident that the answers to its cure are even close to being discovered, but You know. What we do know and have confidence in, is that “You will never leave or forsake us”. You are ever present in times of blinding uncertainty, and yet offer this Divine Call, “come unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. Remind us when we are tempted to despair to “PRAY FIRST”. That is our entry into Your place of Grace.

Trusting that You, Jesus, seated at the right hand of the Father, stretch your arms of invitation for us to come, saying, “ask and it shall be given to you”.  And Your Word says, “you receive not because you ask not”. Let us come with boldness to Your throne of grace, giving thanks always for all blessings, living in full confidence that “all things do work together for good to those who love You and are called according to Your purpose”.  Amen.

Bible References From this Prayer:

Hebrews 13:5
Romans 8:34; Matthew 7:7
James 4:1-3
Matthew 11:28