I’ve been sitting here off and on for a couple of days looking at a post I started a few weeks ago but with no clear direction how to finish it.  There are times when this happens and I end up deleting the whole thing; I’m not convinced that’s what I should do this time, but at this point I’m not sure when it is going to get done.

As I was laying on my bed with kind of an ache in my heart thinking about what I should write, the words of the old hymn echoed in my mind:

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

The story behind the hymn, written by Joseph Scriven, is one of tragedy, grief, and faith.  …somethings every one of us face at one point or another in our lives.  Whether faith will be our outcome is up to each individual.

I have seen some public calls to prayer recently for several difficult situations—and I believe it is important to join our hearts and our prayers for others who are struggling, who are persecuted, or facing crises.  I believe the many voices joining in supplication do touch the heart of God.  But I believe the silent cries from breaking hearts also summon the Shepherd of the sheep out to the single one, alone, isolated and grasping for hope in the midst of turmoil.

We must not read this passage, understanding that it speaks of salvation, without recognizing the heart of our Shepherd:  “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:4-7).

David understood a personal relationship with the Shepherd:  “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake…” (Psalm 23:1-3).

In the midst of actual and spiritual warfare David recognized:  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell.  Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me in this I will be confident” (Psalm 27:1-4).

Sometimes the best words I can write are not my words at all; they are the Word of God!

Sometimes the best prayers we can pray are the silent cries in our hearts…  “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.  For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26, 27).

Sometimes the only thing we can rely on is not a thing but Someone we cannot see or touch, trusting that “all things work together for good to those who love God…”, that “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us”, and nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 8:28, 37, 39)

Today, in the midst of everything that is happening in the world and in our lives, it is good to recall the Holy Spirit’s counsel through the apostle Paul:  “Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentleness be known to all men.  The Lord is at hand.  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” (Philippians 4:4-7).

And…

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

~ Joseph M. Scriven