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Day 9: John 9/Psalm 22
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Thursday March 4, 2004
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My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from
saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out
by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.
Psalm 22:1-2 (New International Version)
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Praying
during difficult situations
The words written in this Psalm are the same words that Jesus spoke in
his final hours before he died while hanging on the cross. Jesus spoke
the words to God when he, in view of his suffering condition, poured
out his heart to his heavenly Father.
Through these words,
those who are children of God can be comforted in knowing that Christ,
who also suffered, directed his attention toward the One whom he
believed could free him from his pain and suffering.
Jesus joins with
the ranks of Christians who suffer from the pains of this world. He
gives us consent and encouragement to pray unto God for help in our
suffering condition--to pray for help during our hard times. This may
mean in times of sickness, in times of war, in times when there is a
lack of finances, in times when there is a spiritual low in our lives,
in times when there are marital problems, in times when there are
family problems, or in times when God just seems to be so far.
In the book, More
Prayers that Prevail, Clift Richards and Lloyd Hildebrand write,
“The greatest sustaining factor in the lives of Christians throughout
the centuries has been prayer. It has enable countless martyrs to face
burning at the stake, the “hot seat” of ancient Rome, decapitation,
imprisonment, mockery, persecution, misunderstanding, torture, and
injustice. Most of the martyrs turned to God in audible prayers of
trust as they went to their executions.”
Today’s
prayer:
Father, teach me how to pray in times of difficulty. Allow me to
always remember Jesus and his sufferings and the example he has made
for me while here on earth.
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Memory Verse of the Week:
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:6 (New International Version)
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For a complete listing
of all the previous devotionals in this "50 Day Experience," click here.
To read the chapter or psalm of the day online, click on one of the
following links:
o
John
9
o
Psalm
22
Dorrien Hinsey, hinsey@cincyvineyard.com,
Elementary Pastor at VCC
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