When Life Gives You Lemons . . . Pray

One might ask, “Which is more important, breathing in or breathing out?”. Of course, they are both equally necessary for the continuation of life. In terms of our spiritual life, studying scripture may be viewed as breathing in while prayer and worship represent breathing out. Both aspects are necessary for a complete and fulfilling relationship with our God and our Savior. To abandon either leaves us weak and vulnerable. Previously, we looked at the benefits of scriptural study - our spiritual inhale. Now we turn to the examination of one aspect of our spiritual exhale.

I’ve heard it said, “When life brings you to your knees you are in the perfect position to pray.” In fact, it is our ability to kneel before God that gives us the comfort and strength we need to stand before the world in times of struggle. Right now our nation, indeed the whole world, is struggling. We must acknowledge the risks of the COVID_19 pandemic. Yet, there is also the reality that economies can't stay shut down forever. So many are finding it difficult to provide for themselves and their families. And, there are a plethora of opinions as to the right course of actions. One of the best things we can do right now is pray for our leaders, both secular and spiritual.

James tells us, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (5;16). And, Peter reminds us “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers” (I Peter 3:12). In prayer, we run to God. We seek Him out. As He tells Jeremiah, “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29: 12-13). Through prayer we seek an intimate relationship with God. We acknowledge that He is our Creator; we lay our fears and worries at His feet and trust that He will guide us in all things. We know that God is on our side and that the victory is His. But, He's not interested in a one-sided relationship. Take the time to enter into that "sweet hour of prayer".

Sweet hour of prayer
Sweet hour of prayer
That calls me from a world of care
And bids me at my Father's throne
Make all my wants and wishes known
In seasons of distress and grief
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter's snare
By Thy return, sweet hour of prayer

Sweet hour of prayer
Sweet hour of prayer
The joys I feel, the bliss I share
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for Thy return
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face
And gladly take my station there
And wait for Thee, sweet hour of prayer

Sweet hour of prayer
Sweet hour of prayer
And wait for Thee
Sweet hour of prayer

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Alan Jackson

Sweet Hour of Prayer lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC