Write down the date when you prayed this prayer.
Overview
“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to HIM in prayer!” [Job 11:13 NLT].
What does the Bible say about GOD helping us to solve problems?
Here is a selection of promises from the Word of GOD:
“For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace1, and not of evil, to give you an expected2 end3”[Jeremiah 29:11; (1) Hebrew “shālôm”: health, prosperity, well-being, blessings; (2) Hebrew “tiqwâ”: hope/thing that I long for; (3) Hebrew “aḥarît”: a future/posterity].
“Then shall you call upon ME, and you shall go and pray unto ME, and I will listen unto you. And you shall seek ME, and find ME, when you shall search for ME with all your heart” [Jeremiah 29:12-13].
“But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: HE is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: HE shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in HIM.” [Psalms 37:39-40].
“GOD is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble” [Psalms 46:1].
“As for me, I will call upon GOD; and the LORD shall save me.” [Psalms 55:16].
“And call upon ME in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify ME” [Psalms 50:15].
“Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes. For the LORD shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken” [Proverbs 3:25-26].
“Fear you not; for I AM with you: be not dismayed; for I AM your GOD: I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of MY righteousness” [Isaiah 41:10].
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto GOD. And the peace of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, shall keep our hearts and minds through JESUS CHRIST” [Philippians 4:6-7].
“You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not” [James 4:2].
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” [James 5:13].
“Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open.” [Mathew 7:7].
I have a problem. As a matter of fact, I have many problems. Who doesn’t?
The Bible says that we are all sinners and we all fall short of the Glory of GOD [Romans 3:23]. As a result of that state of being sinners, we all have problems that cause us troubles (worries, anxieties, and sufferings). All these troubles are a consequence of the fallen world we live in: decay, death, diseases, pain, suffering, persecution, evil, accidents, natural disasters, disagreements, loneliness, fear, bondages, communication breakdown … and the list goes on and on.
Some of our problems can be really big - such as with the loss of loved ones, or diseases that cripple or pain us. Other problems are just small as having to do school homework and everything else in between. Some problems seem impossible - such as healing from a broken spine or rising from the dead. Other problems seem as uncomplicated as changing a light bulb (which can be rather difficult for some people).
JESUS said “These things I have spoken unto you, that in ME you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” [John 16:33].
As a general principle, JESUS makes it clear that in this world it is certain that we will experience “tribulation” at a certain time in our lives. The Greek word used in the book of John for “tribulation” is “thlipsis” meaning “affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble”.
From John 16:33 we can extract three principles that can help us when facing tribulation in our daily life:
We ought to be of “good cheer1”, have courage, hope, and faith [(1) Greek “tharseó”: to have courage].
In HIM, in HIS NAME, through HIS power we find peace - for JESUS is the Prince of “Peace2” [Isaiah 9:6; (2) Hebrew “shālôm”: health, prosperity, well-being, blessings, peace].
HE has already “overcome3” the world’s troubles, and therefore in HIM - in HIS NAME, through HIS power - we receive victory. In Romans 8:37 the Apostle Paul says that even in “tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword” we are “more than victorious4” through CHRIST [(3) Greek “nikaō”: to subdue, conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory; (4) Greek “hyper-nikaō”: hyper-conquer, hyper-victory].
Therefore, instead of running away from problems or trying to solve them through our own efforts, it is better to learn from GOD’s wisdom how to solve problems through HIS help and power!
But do I really want a solution?
I have noticed through my own experience and through the experience of others that, in many cases, we cannot solve our problems because we do not want to: we do not put the right effort or the necessary work required to solve or understand them, we do not try to find solutions or alternatives, and/or we do not seek for help.
Perhaps because it is comfortable to live in self-pity - either we like to suffer or there is some sort of spiritual power that keeps us in bondage, or it is easier to live with the pain than to do something about it (procrastination).
When this happens, we should first acknowledge our reluctance to let our problems go and the comfort we have in keeping them, and repent (change our mind).
How do I find solutions?
By prayer and supplication1, with thanksgiving, we should present our requests to GOD, and the peace of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, shall keep our hearts and minds through JESUS CHRIST [Philippians 4:6-7; (1) Greek “deēsis”: prayer, request, petition]. By praying about every problem and need we have, the peace of GOD will guard our hearts and minds.
At times, as an answer for our prayers and supplications, GOD will resolve or remove our problems, or send help our way. Everyday around the world HE is answering prayers and changing situations and operating miracles in favor of people (according to HIS will). It happened to me on various occasions when I needed healing in my body or with my relationships.
At other times, the problems will still be there after our prayers, for example: a blind person may pray but when they open their eyes they still can not see; a father or mother can pray after a lost child but after they prayed their child is not back. However, above all, GOD promises to guard our hearts and minds and give us the peace that surpasses all understanding!
As we seek HIM, HE gives us the peace, the courage, and the strength to be able to handle problems. And in many circumstances, for myself and for many others I know, GOD’s peace was enough to help us to find solutions or to be able to manage our problems.
How much am I prepared to work to find solutions?
If we want to build muscles we have to do weight