As I face the storms of life, I pray for peace, a supernatural and divine peace that will calm my fears and my anxieties. I pray for a peace that will settle my troubled heart and allow me to place my trust wholly in you. Lord, with your presence, there is security.
There is tranquility and peace that removes all burdens. With your holy peace, I will be able to press on through any storm and endure to the end. [Music] Lord, even through the trials and challenges I face, I pray that you would give me the grace to press on.
Grant me the grace to keep moving forward and to keep believing in you. Your word in James 1 verse 12 says, "Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him. Help me, Father, to remain steadfast under trial.
Help me, Jesus, so that I would be tied and rooted to you under trial. Let nothing move me. Let nothing sway me.
But may I instead remain firm in faith. I pray that any challenge I face will not overwhelm me, but instead help me so that I may endure. And as I endure, may you sharpen my character.
Amen. We live in a stressful world. There are worries about wars, elections, and pandemics.
On a personal level, there are worries about jobs, children, marriages, and money. In fact, the American Medical Association has estimated that as many as 70% of all patients visiting their general practice physicians do so with symptoms related in some way to unreieved stress. But God has a better way for us to live, a burden-free way.
Here is how Jesus put it in the Gospel of Matthew 11 28-30. Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Jesus offers us a burden-free way to live. Isn't that good news?
Some people have the idea that God wants them weighed down with guilt and fears and uncertainty. But Jesus said, "My yoke is easy and my burden light. " He wants to take your worries away from you.
As the Apostle Peter said, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. " There are three easy steps to take to enjoy burden-free living as revealed in Jesus's words in the Gospel of Matthew. Step one, come to him.
Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Not come to drugs or alcohol or to some sin, or to empty relationships and pursuits, or even to our own strength, but come to him. and he promises, "I will give you rest.
" What do you need rest from today? Psychiatrist Thomas Holmes and Richard Ra's famous stress scale lists life most stressful events. At the top of the list is the death of a spouse.
Number two is divorce. Other items on the list include losing a job, illness, moving, debt. What do you need rest from today?
Guilt from sin. Jesus has forgiveness for you. Is it fear concerning a problem too big for you?
Jesus has unlimited power for you. Do you have difficult decisions to make? Jesus has wisdom for you.
Step one for burden-free living is to simply come to Jesus. Come to him and come to him daily and he will give you rest. Step two, follow his plan for your life, not anyone else's.
Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Take his yoke upon you, not your own, not someone else's. " The yoke in Jesus's day was the wooden crosspiece put around the neck of an ox to pull a wagon.
As a carpenter, before he entered his ministry, Jesus would have made these for customers. And he says that the yolks he designed were easy and light. So many of our burdens are self-inflicted.
We step out of the way Jesus wants us to live and before you know it, we have a mess on our hands. Someone has wisely said, "An ounce of obedience is worth a pound of prayer. " Not all troubles can be avoided, of course, but many do come from disobeying his plain commands.
We step out of his will and end up with a mess we have to do a lot of frantic praying about. What decision are you facing? Be careful to choose God's plan to take Jesus's yoke.
It will lead to the burden-free life he wants you to have. And so to recap our steps for burden-free living, come to him daily. Step one, follow his plan for your life.
Step two. And step three for burden-free living is to leave the results up to him. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
A pastor in New York City when counseling people about turning their lives over to Jesus would take them to the RCA building on Fifth Avenue. In the entrance was a gigantic statue of Atlas holding the world on his shoulders, all his muscles straining, barely able to stand under the load. The pastor would say, "Now that's one way to live, trying to carry the world on your shoulders.
" Then he would take them across the street to St. Patrick's Cathedral to a shrine behind the altar where the boy Jesus, 8 or 9 years old, is holding the whole world in one hand with absolutely no effort at all. That the pastor would say is the other way to live.
Letting Jesus carry your burdens for you. That's the privilege you and I have every day to cast our anxieties on the Lord and let him carry them for us. In other words, after you come to him, after you choose his way, then simply leave the results up to him.
He'll take care of the burden for you. You can trust him to work it out. This is the way Jesus lived when he was on earth, trusting his heavenly father to take care of the details for him.
Think about it. The salvation of the whole world depended on Jesus and he followed his father's plan. The salvation of the whole world depended on his word being spread.
But he never once wrote anything down. Nor did he ever say to his apostles, "Is anyone taking notes here? This is important.
" The salvation of the whole world depended on the formation and spread of his church. But he called a bunch of fishermen and outcasts to get this job done for him. not CEOs or generals or politicians or marketing experts.
But you know what? Jesus didn't stress any of this. He left the results in the father's hands.
And you know what? It all got written down. The disciples got the job done.
And his word and church have spread all over the world. Leave the results of your life up to the father as well. The prayers you've prayed, the questions you have, even the mistakes you've made.
He can handle it all. Don't let yourself be weighed down with worries and anxieties. That's not God's plan for his children.
Enjoy the burden-free life Jesus offers. Come to him. Follow his plan for your life.
Leave the results up to him. Lord Jesus, we thank you for your goodness. Right now, as we come before your presence, I come against every worry that plagues the hearts and minds of every believer listening right now.
I declare in the name of Jesus that we are not anxious about anything because you, Lord, are in control. I declare that we are at peace in our hearts and it is well with us. It is well because we are in your care.
When we are unsure, we trust you to a clear path where there seems to be no way. Where we do not see, we trust you, Lord, to guide us. When we are in distress, we look to you for help, Lord Jesus.
And when we are in danger, we look to you for shelter. It is well in our minds because we've been covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. I pray and declare your word in Philippians 4:es 6-7 which says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Yes, Lord. We receive your peace into our hearts.
We receive the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, into our lives. Lord, there's none like you. In every circumstance and in every situation, we look to you.
You, Lord Jesus, are the one who provides peace. You provide strength and you provide power. We look to you, Father, because it's only in you that we can overcome.
From this moment forward, I reject the spirit of fear. I dismiss the spirit of fear through the authority that is in Jesus' name. And right now, I speak the peace of God upon every man, every woman, boy, or girl who is under the sound of my voice.
I speak wholeness. I speak freedom. I speak life in Jesus' name.
No longer will we as your children be bound by demonic spirits. We stand on your word that tells us that you have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Lord, your word in 1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment, but he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
" Father, your love is indeed perfect. It was your love that sent your only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. Your love was perfect and it is perfect and will forever be perfect.
And for that, God, we praise you because such a love casts out fear. And so, Lord, I pray that your love would fill our homes and cast out any fear that may try to reside there. May your precious, pure, and holy love fill our hearts and minds and cast every trace of fear out of our lives.
Father, we rejoice as your children because you are our God who goes before us. You're the God who paves the way and you take care of all our cares about tomorrow. Thank you for the promise that you will never leave us or forsake us.
Father, I thank you because in your word in Psalm 34 17-19, it says, "The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them. He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed.
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. It's you, King Jesus, who rescues us from all our distress and all our troubles. Although we may face many afflictions, we will not worry about them.
We will not be anxious over our troubles because we trust and believe that you will deliver us each and every time. Lord, I bless your holy name and I thank you for listening to this prayer. Thank you for being the chainbreaking, delivering almighty God.
It's in the name of Jesus Christ that we pray and we give you thanks. Amen. One thing that my mother would say to me all throughout young adulthood was, "Son, leave it to God.
" She would often say that about every single problem I shared with her. She'd ask, "Have you prayed about it? Have you looked in God's word concerning it?
If I said yes, your answer would be, "Well, leave it to God. " And if you think about it, how many of us try to carry our own burdens when Jesus wants to be our burden bearer? How many of us want to take our problems, our issues, and struggles and try to fix them without so much as prayer offered to the Lord for guidance, for wisdom, or intervention?
Leave it to God. What is in your life that you need to take to the cross and trust Jesus concerning it? What is it that you need to leave in God's hands?
When I think of leaving my burdens in the hands of God, the story of the Shounomite woman comes to mind. In 2 Kings 4:8-37, we're told that the Shounomite woman was a kind and generous woman who lived in the town of Shunim. One day she noticed the prophet Elisha passing through her town.
Recognizing him as a man of God, she invited him to her home for a meal. Impressed by her hospitality, Elisha wanted to bless her in return. He promised her that she would have a son within a year despite her and her husband's old age.
True to Elisha's word, the woman gave birth to a son the following year. However, tragedy struck when the boy suddenly fell ill and died. The devastated woman took her son's lifeless body and placed him on Elisha's bed in their home.
She immediately set out to find Elisha for help. Here's what the Bible says in 2 Kings 4:2-26. After her son had died, the Bible reads, "So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.
When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gahazi, his servant, there is the Shunomite. run at once to meet her and say to her, "Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband?
Is all well with the child? " And she answered, "All is well. " This woman maintained that all is well even after the unthinkable happened.
Upon seeing the woman, Elisha sensed her distress and sent his servant Gahazi with his staff to lay it on the boy's face. However, the woman insisted on accompanying Elisha herself. When they arrived at her home, Elisha prayed to God and miraculously the boy's life was restored and he sneezed seven times, indicating his complete recovery.
The story of the Shinomite woman teaches us several important lessons. The woman's generosity and hospitality towards Elisha demonstrated the value of kindness and taking care of others. Her actions led to unexpected blessings in her life.
Elisha's prayers and faith in God resulted in the miraculous restoration of the woman's son. This reminds us of the power of prayer and the importance of seeking God's intervention in our lives. But perhaps the most powerful lessons were taught in her story are the power of trusting in God's promises and the value of taking our burdens to God.
Despite her and her husband's old age, the Shinomite woman believed in the promise given by the prophet Elisha. She teaches us the importance of having faith in God's word even when circumstances seem impossible. And then when tragedy struck, the Shinomite woman immediately sought out Elisha for help.
She wasn't seeking Elisha, but rather the God who Elisha served. This teaches us the significance of bringing our problems and concerns to God, knowing that he is able to provide solutions and comfort in times of need. So I encourage you today, whatever situation you find yourself in, take it to the Lord in prayer and leave it there.
In closing, let me remind you that the Bible says in Psalm 55:22, "Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you. He will never permit the righteous to be moved. " Have you ever had one of those days where it's just a fight?
Where everything is a fight? Your journey to work seems like it's a struggle. You get to work and it's hostile that day.
You go home and something unexpected happens. You get an unexpected letter or an unexpected bill. Then next thing you know, there's an unexpected argument with your husband or wife.
I mean, have you ever had a day where everything is a struggle? Everything is just a fight. You try to read the word, but that becomes a fight.
You try to pray, but that proves to be a fight, too. You put some worship music on, but you find that you're still fighting. So, in this case, what do you do?
Well, I believe that when it appears to be impossible, when life is at its darkest, this is when you should call out to the Lord. David experienced days like this quite often. He must have because all throughout the Psalms there is this theme of calling out to the Lord.
I mean think about it. How many times do we read something along the lines of in my distress I called upon the Lord to my God I cried for help. Or you might read something like here oh Lord when I cry aloud be gracious to me and answer me.
Today, dear listener, I want to encourage you to call on the Lord. The Bible says in Psalm 5 verses 1-2, "Listen to my words, Lord. Consider my lament.
Hear my cry for help, my King and my God. For to you I pray. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice.
In the morning, I lay my request before you and wait expectantly. For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness. With you, evil people are not welcome.
The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, Lord, detest. But I by your great love can come into your house. In reverence I bow down toward your holy temple.
Lead me Lord in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before me. Not a word from their mouth can be trusted.
Their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave. With their tongues they tell lies.
Declare them guilty, oh God. Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you be glad. Let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Surely Lord, you bless the righteous. You surround them with your favor as with a shield. Saints of God, there is a name that holds power.
There is a name that chases away demonic spirits. There's a name that brings light in the midst of darkness. And that name is Jesus Christ.
Not every storm, not every crisis, not every challenge or problem is bad for you. What I mean is that some situations we encounter, yes, they'll be difficult. They will be painful.
But in the long run, that storm, it will be for your good. That crisis will work out for your good. That challenge will make you stronger.
You see, someone will get sick but recover in such a way that they can only acknowledge the hand of God, the miracle working power of the blood of Jesus. Someone's plans will get disrupted only to find that that disruption led them to a better destination. Someone's plans will get delayed.
But that's perhaps God's way of saying not yet. I have something better in store. I have a better time in mind.
As you listen, may you receive these words and be charged up in your faith. Stand your ground and trust in the Lord. The Bible says when the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
So even if all the odds are against you, continue to trust in the Lord and he will raise up a standard against the enemy. People of God, don't be defeated in your heart. Don't feel defeated in your mind.
No matter what you face, be anchored and fixed on Jesus. The trial you face may not look like Paul and Silas in prison. It may not be a den of hungry lions, but your situation might seem just as hopeless and just as intimidating.
However, when you're in the thick of it, when you have nowhere else to go, don't allow yourself to be moved. Be unshakable in your faith. Be unshakable because you have God's promises to fall back on.
Be unshakable because you have the Holy Spirit who will be your strength and your helper. Jesus Christ is the only sure foundation in this cold, everchanging world. He is our steadfast anchor.
Circumstances change, people change, social norms and public perceptions change, but the word of God remains true forever. So be unshakable, saints. Be unshakable.
Now, let us pray. Dear Lord Jesus, my savior and my redeemer, help me through this storm I'm in. Be with me, Lord.
Drw closer and closer to me as I reach out for your hand. If it is your will that I should go through this storm, then I pray that my faith would be strengthened and it would grow. As I am tested by this fire, may you refine and purify my faith.
May this storm develop a godly character within me. May it lead me to discover the power of God. Because it's only during a storm that I can find you to be an everpresent help in the time of trouble.
Help me to develop my faith, Lord, so that my faith will go from one level to another. So that my belief in you will go from one level to another. Holy Spirit, I pray that you would open my eyes and help me recognize the favor that I have over my life despite the storm that I face.
Help me to focus purely on Jesus Christ. Help me so that I don't become preoccupied with all the things that could happen, but instead fill me with an assured confidence in the God of the ages. Father, may you always order my steps in everything I do, wherever I may go.
Guide me and lead me, for you are my good shepherd. Your word says in Psalms 23:3, "He restores my soul. He leads me in the path of righteousness for his name's sake.
Help me to embrace whatever comes my way with faith and the knowledge that you are greater than any storm or situation I may face. Your great love displaces all fear. It dispels darkness.
And so may your name always be praised for such amazing love. Romans 8:38-4 says, "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Thank you for listening to this prayer.
Amen. [Music] Every crisis in life is not bad for you. Sometimes God uses adversity.
God places you in tough situations only for you to grow, for you to develop stronger faith, for you to mature. So the next time a problem presents itself, the next time you face a crisis, just stop for a moment and ask God, what do you want me to learn from this? What do you want to develop within me?
Our faith must be tested. And perhaps Proverbs 17:3 will give us a better understanding of why the testing of our faith is necessary. Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
In other words, just as silver and gold are purified by fire, so the Lord purifies the hearts of men by fiery trials. If you want to refine gold, you use the furnace. And if the heart of man is to be refined, the Lord tests the heart.
meaning that my faith and your faith must stand trial at one point or another. Our natural tendency as humans is to think that if something seems unpleasant, then it must not be from God. But we must realize that God sees things quite differently than we do.
The trials that God allows in our lives, they're meant to make us complete so that we lack nothing as believers. Trials actually come for our development as Christians. Trials come so that we can build on the current level of faith that we have and then reach greater heights.
That's why the Bible says, "The testing of your faith produces perseverance. " The testing of our faith is what leads to spiritual maturity. Knowing this should change the way we view hardships and the way we respond to those difficult times in our lives.
James 5:13 says, "Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone unhappy?
Let them sing songs of praise. " Did you get that? Is anyone among you in trouble?
Let them pray. Other translations say, "If anyone is suffering, if anyone is in great hardship and distress, let them pray. " Why?
Why prayer? Why not find a pastor and get them to pray for you? Why not send a prayer request online?
Because prayer is when you as an individual go before God and humble yourself. You lower yourself in recognition of God's power. You go to the foot of God's throne and pray that he may have mercy on you, that he may give you grace.
And it's here, it's in your weakness that God's strength is made perfect. In the New Testament, there is a key message that comes up over and over again. And do you know what this message concerns?
It's about prayer. In Romans 12, we're told to be constant in prayer. In 1 Thessalonians 5, we're told to pray without ceasing.
In Ephesians 6, we're told to pray at all times. In the book of Colossians 4, we're told to continue steadfastly in prayer. In James chapter 5, the Bible says, "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
" Now, these are just a few scriptures. I haven't even touched on all Jesus's teachings about prayer that are given in the four gospels. And so, people of God, let's fight to pray.
When life is good, remember to pray. When life is challenging, remember to pray. Come rain or sunshine, just pray.
Regardless of the season you're in, you have to fight to pray. and you're actually strengthened by those prayers. One of the reasons why we have to be so strong in prayer is because as children of God, we have enemies.
We have the devil and his demons to contend with. And then we have the world and the flesh as enemies. But I want you to understand that all of these enemies that we face as believers, they have one thing in common.
They cannot win against the power of God. They cannot overcome the blood of Jesus. The enemies we face, they cannot destroy a person who fears God.
They cannot overwhelm someone who's always found to be in the posture of prayer.
