Prayer when things get stuck
Posted by: Sophia Bricker
Bible reading:
“As for me, I am afflicted and poor. May the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer. O my God, do not delay” (Psalm 40:17, LSB).
Listen or read below:
Pooh visited Rabbit’s house, enjoyed a small snack, and then tried to return home through the hole that served as the entrance to Rabbit’s burrow. Easy enough. However, he soon realized that a hole for a rabbit would not serve as a suitable exit for a bear. He tried to move forward, but when that proved fruitless, he tried to push back. No matter what he did, nothing changed. he was stuck. What was he supposed to do?
Christopher Robin’s solution: Wait. If you wait a week, Pooh will easily pass through and be released. But when the poor bear heard that timeline, he became distraught. AA Milne writes: “The bear began to sigh, but tears filled his eyes as he realized that he was too tightly attached to his body to do so” (The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh, Dutton Children’s Books, 1994, p. 28).
We can feel like Winnie the Pooh, especially during seasons in our lives when we’re wondering and waiting to figure out how to move forward. No matter how hard you try, you can’t find a way out of the situation, and any ideas for relief usually fail. At times like this, we can remember that while others may have some control over helping us, there is someone out there who can give us the help we need. And He will be with us as we wait to be freed from our confinement.
Like David in Psalm 40, we can cry out to the Lord for help. He had already seen the salvation God had worked in him in a previous life when he was pulled up from what seemed like a slimy pit and placed on solid ground (Psalm 40:1-2). The Lord gave him new songs to sing, and David never stopped speaking about the kindness of the Lord (Psalm 40:3, 10). When trouble again surrounded him, as it often did in his life, David knew he could turn to God.
He spoke honestly to the Lord, even in words we would hesitate to use when speaking to Him. In short, he told God to “haste” his rescue. He prayed: “Lord, come quickly and help me” (Psalm 40:13, NIV). David’s plea was one of despair, even as he expressed gratitude for what the Lord had previously accomplished.
Whenever we are surrounded by difficulties and experience unpleasant predicaments, we too can find hope in the Lord who rescues us. We may not sink into mud or mud or get stuck in a hole, but life’s circumstances can leave us feeling stuck, as if there is no path forward. At times like this, it is good to talk to the Lord in prayer and convey our concerns to Him. We can trust that God cares about every situation that causes us anxiety (1 Peter 5:7).
And we shouldn’t be afraid to honestly express our feelings when talking to God. God does not rebuke our tears or turn a deaf ear to our pleas to hurry and save Him. The more we rely on God in times of trouble, the more we will find sustenance for the journey ahead and the more we will find companions to keep us company as we wait for the new season to begin.
Let’s pray:
God, you are my deliverer and ever-present help. You set me free from the chains of sin and saved me from being content in my bondage. How great is your love and grace that you saved me and gave me new life.
Lord, why is it always so hard to remember your salvation when I get stuck in life? Circumstances crowd around me, getting tighter and tighter until I get stuck. I don’t know how to find peace. God, please help me and don’t be late. Please hurry and come to my rescue.
But even if the solution you provide is not what I want or expect, help me to find blessings in your presence and desire you more than comfort as I endure the process of waiting. Because although life’s circumstances change and challenges and joys mix, I can always find hope in You, my Savior. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Share your thoughts on today’s devotion in the Daily Prayer discussion in the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/klenova
Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help people grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotions, and stories. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Christian Ministry, which included extensive study in the Bible and theology, as well as a master’s degree in creative writing. You can read her thoughts on literature and faith below. cross, pen, and page Visit Substack or Disciple-based Sites cultivatewhere she writes with her sister.
Related Resources: “I AM” – A Lenten Journey with Jesus
When the world feels heavy, clarity may not be the last thing we need. Sometimes all we need is presence. In John 8:12, Jesus does not promise all the answers. He promises himself: “I am the light of the world.” The light does not show us the whole path, but gives us just enough to take the next step. It reminds us that we are not alone in the dark and that God is with us even when things feel uncertain. I pray that this meditation will remind you of the presence of Jesus and that you will never have to walk in the darkness alone. This week’s guided Bible meditation is part of my larger Lenten series, and I encourage you to slow down, listen, and follow the light that guides you to life.
If you like what you hear, follow So Much More on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode
