by Elizabeth George October 08, 2013
Here’s a word for prayer you’re probably familiar with—supplication. As one well-loved verse instructs, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Clearly we are to ask God in supplication. This term for prayer stems from a Hebrew word that is connected with judges and judging. It means to invoke God as a judge. And to do so means that we must come to Him, theJudge! We are to implore Himfor our needs. And we’re to do so earnestly and humbly. (See Philippians 4:6.)
Trouble is part of the Christian life. A giant growth-step in faith and maturity is to acknowledge, accept, and learn this fact of life. As my Jim always says, “Being a Christian is not a bed of roses!” I know it’s helped me tremendously to underline in my Bible the little word “when” in James 1:2: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” It’s sobering—and instructive—to realize that James did not say if…but he said whenas he wrote of trials in life.
The apostle Peter also wrote about the facts of trials and troubles, exhorting us with these words: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Peter 4:12).
You and I must face life with our eyes wide open. We must accept the fact of trouble. Then we must devise a plan for handling trouble and dealing with it—God’s way. For instance, what will you think when trouble arrives? What scriptures will you use to stay strong in the Lord as you walk through your own fiery trials? And what, when, and how will you pray about the troubles of life—past, present, and future? Wisdom always has a plan (Proverbs 21:5), so create your plan of action for facing and handling trouble. Be prepared for trouble… and pray!
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Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
by Elizabeth George October 29, 2024
by Elizabeth George October 15, 2024
You need wisdom—God’s wisdom—and there’s no need to wait even another second for it. Why? Because God has promised you wisdom.
by Elizabeth George October 01, 2024