When You Truly Need Help – Focus on Prayer
Where do you go when you truly need help?
For much of my life, I turned to self-help books. I read parenting books, emotional health books, nutritional health books, and relationship books. My children will tell you that I also used the Bible as a self-help book.
I believe the Bible is the best instructional book for life; however, my children used to dread those mornings when I’d get up and say, “I couldn’t sleep last night and so, I spent time in the Word . . . we need to change X, Y, or Z.”
I was approaching it more as a list of rules than a grace-filled message of love.
In Psalm 5, David turned to the Lord for help once again…
- Hear my prayer. v. 1
- Listen to my cry. v. 2
- Lead me and show me Your way. v. 8
- Declare my enemies guilty and let them get caught in their own sins. v. 10
He freely took his fears and frustrations to the One He knew was able.
But then, he paused and added…
Let all who take refuge in You rejoice;
Psalm 5:11–12
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread Your protection over them,
that all who love Your name may be filled with joy.
For You bless the godly, O Lord;
You surround them with your shield of love.
David turned his focus from his problems to the One whose love never fails—the One whom he trusted to guide, protect, and defend.
We have an enemy of our souls who attacks us daily.
Peter called him the one who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking to devour us. (1 Peter 5:8)
Jesus called him a murderer and a liar. (John 8:44) And the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10)
John wrote that he is the accuser. (Revelation 12:10)
And Paul referred to him as the tempter. (1 Thessalonians 3:5)
He wants us to focus on our fears and frustrations. He wants us to depend on self-help worldly solutions to our problems because he is as Jesus called him “the prince of this world,” and worldly solutions will never truly defeat him.
But when, like David, we truly need help. We turn to our true Helper. Because when we take our fears and frustrations to the Lord and humbly ask Him for the help we need, He…
- helps to carry our burdens. (Matthew 11:28)
- strengthens and protects us. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
- fills us with His peace and joy. (Romans 14:17)
- And surrounds us with His love. (Psalm 33:22)
When You Truly Need Help – Pray
Father, thank you for inviting me to come to you when I need help. Your Word tells me, not to be anxious but to take my concerns to you in prayer. (Philippians 4:6) It invites me to surrender my cares to You because You care for me. (1 Peter 5:7) And Jesus said that when I bring my heavy burdens to Him, He will help me carry them. (Matthew 11:28)
You strengthen me when I am weak. Encourage me when I am disheartened. You give me peace when I am anxious. And You bless me with forgiveness, hope, purpose, joy, and unfailing love.
You are my refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1) and my help and shield (Psalm 33:20). I believe You will give me everything I need. I trust Your love and that You are at work in my life for my eternal good and Your glory.
I praise and worship You! I will keep my heart and mind focused on You and run to You when I truly need help. Please fill me with Your Spirit and help me live each day for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
David talked to God often about the battles he was facing . . . about his struggles with the wickedness around him.
Physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual . . . you and I deal with persistent attacks from the enemy. Our attempts at self-help will not defeat him. There is nothing we can do on our own to win those difficult battles.
But God… (How I love those two words!)
But God promises:
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:11–12
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 4:16
When the battle is hard and you need help go to God.
Ask Him to hear your prayer and listen to your cries. Ask Him to lead you and show you the way. And thank Him for being your Helper . . . the One who has already won the victory. He is able to give you and me everything we need for every difficulty we face.
May God bless you, strengthen you, protect you, and fill you with peace and joy.
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Yeah, I have the tendency to try to find my way out of difficulties. But somewhere deep down in my heart, there is a current drawing me to the Only One who can really help. Like the magnet to the iron, I just gravitate to the Lord. While I have no problem with asking or sharing my difficulties with God, I constantly seem to have a problem honestly trusting in Him that He will provide a solution. Though usually I tell myself that I have a trust issue because I can’t discern His voice and afraid to follow my own will in the guise of following God’s voice. Anyone is familiar with this trap? Then I just go in circles, like a hamster on the wheel.
As I’m getting older, there is an urgency in my heart that I must have a confirmation that I’m safe with Jesus…..a knowing that whatever happens I’m with Him and He’s with me.
Gaby,
I hear you—thank you for posting your honest struggle.
It’s familiar to me and I’ve learned that if I’m just quiet and keep going forward, the Holy Spirit will show himself at work and give me a confidence that He is indeed worthy of my trust.
One thing I always ask God for is to show me “the truth” no matter how hard or possible hurtful/difficult that truth is. He has to honor that request because He knows I’m sincere and because HE IS TRUTH. He cannot deny Himself. His faithful revealing to me and then carrying me/guiding me on the next steps, has increased my faith and trust to a point that I never knew possible. I hope this helps you too. His blessings on you and your walk! ✝️????
I’m grateful for sharing your journey Monday. It most surely helpful. Blessings to you friend ????❤️????
His bountiful and endless blessings to you, Gaby!
So thankful we have sisters on our walk to HOME! ????
I agree, Gaby! Once we have felt Him holding us close . . . we want to go back to that safe refuge when life is difficult. It can be hard to discern His voice from the “other” voices in my head. I try to always remember that His voice is always true to His Word. He will never guide us to do anything outside of His will and promises. And I can assure you that it is by grace alone—you are safe with Jesus. God bless you, my friend!
I deeply appreciate the encouragement Deb, God knows I needed it. One of those “valley walks”, that I seem to have a hard time to get out of. It feels like the Holy Ghost has an urgency as everything I read or listen to keeps looping back to one subject – TRUST IN GOD
Keep me in your prayers my friend ????❤️
I am not a person who relies on Self Help books that much. I think I am just too lazy to read them. I had a friend who always would tell me about a self help lady on the radio. “Dr. somebody”. I finally told this friend that when i need help I go to Dr. God!! Everything is covered in the Bible. It was a bit later in life, after some very difficult situations that caused me a lot of pain when I truly discovered this . I still fight my enimies that are not of this world, but I take comfort in knowing that God never leaves me or forsakes me. He will hide me in the shelter of his wings until the disaster has passed. Thank you once again for your words of comfort and wisdom.
I completely agree, Sue! God often uses our difficult situations to pull a close and it is such a blessing. I, too, am so very thankful to feel His presence and know that we don’t have to fight our battles alone. God bless you! Thanks for adding this to the conversation.
Such a true and comforting post, Deb! I use only my Bible, God’s Word, for everything! I used to be an avid reader and fell in love with books at an early age! But now, if I have any time to read, I’m reading my Bible…the only true source of help, comfort, encouragement, and TRUTH! And as always, your prayer touches my heart! I know they touch God’s too. Praying for you and Rev. Blessings dear friend.
I’m so glad it blessed you, Kathy! I fell in love with His Word 17 years ago and love reading different translations and opening my heart to the Spirit so that He might fill me with the TRUTH. Thank you for your prayers. We are so very thankful for them! Blessings and hugs!
Running to God first and foremost is the best strategy for addressing our problems, worries and concerns. I take such comfort and reassurance in His Word.
Blessings, Deb!
Amen, Martha! The encouragement of reading His Word encourages and strengthens me every day. Blessings to you!
Amen When I ???? about All the Lord has done for me. my soul cried Hallelujah. Thank you Deb for all your obedience. May the blood of Jesus cover you all. Whenever I go down a trying path,I say Father I come this far by faith. I have come too far for you to leave me. I don’t believe you brought me this far to leave. May the double anointing of Elijah and Alisha be on God’s children in Jesus name. Amen????????????????????????
Thank you for your kindness, Lisa! I love this! When we remember all that the Lord has done for us in the past we are more likely to trust Him in the present. He is so very good and gracious. God be with you and bless you!