A Prayer for God’s Help in Your Challenges
By Betsy de Cruz
“For not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.” – Psalm 44:3
Do you feel pressured to work harder, faster, and smarter to achieve success? Are challenges at home weighing you down?
We drive ourselves as if everything depended on us, yet the stress we carry on the inside can undermine our ability to meet our challenges. We forget the Lord holds all things in His hands; we can trust Him to line up the circumstances of our lives to work out His perfect will for our good.
What monumental task are you facing today, friend? Are you carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders as though everything depended on your efforts to make it happen? Is that project at work or your responsibility to raise children making your shoulders sag?
Maybe you’re struggling with trying to make everything okay for a loved one experiencing challenges. Yet, praying for that person and surrendering him to God’s care is the best thing you can do.
The Israelites faced a monumental task after the Lord delivered them from Egypt. To take possession of the land the Lord had promised them, they would have to conquer the people already living there. Indeed, they had to fight battles to receive their inheritance from God.
Yet Psalm 44 tells us they did not actually win the land by their own sword or their own strength. Instead, they did it by God’s right hand of favor, the strength of His arm fighting for them, and the light of His face shining on them. God blessed them with success and was with them wherever they went.
He helped His people through the most daunting circumstances, and He will help you too.
Whatever undertaking you’ve embarked on at work or in your personal life, remember God is with you. Of course, God works through our efforts, but we can rest in knowing that ultimately the grace and favor we need to complete any task and do it well come from God.
As much as we think everything depends on us, God is the one who establishes the work of our hands and grants us success. He is the one who can give us favor before our boss, co-workers, or loved ones.
Let’s pray and ask God to bless our efforts and shine the light of His face on us today.
Lord, forgive me for trying to do things in my own strength and for striving as if everything rested on me and my efforts. Father, I acknowledge that true success comes from holding fast to you and obeying your word. Give me wisdom today to order my priorities in the light of your will expressed in Scripture.
I commend to you every task I need to accomplish today, and I pray you would give me the grace and ability I need. I entrust those I love into your care. Would you bless my work and my relationships today?
Father, strengthen me with your righteous right arm. Lay your hand upon me and grant me your favor. Shine the light of your face upon me that I might live in your presence and receive your blessing this day.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Photo credit: ©SalemDesign
Betsy de Cruz writes and speaks to help overwhelmed women take small steps to invite more of God’s presence and power into their lives. Connect with Betsy and get a free Quiet Time Renewal Guide at FaithSpillingOver.com. Her book More of God is a distracted woman’s guide to more meaningful quiet times. Betsy and her husband José live in Arlington, Texas and love hanging with their two young adult children.
Editor's Note: We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You'll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
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Originally published Thursday, 08 September 2022.
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