Prayer to God in time of trouble

Psalms 43:1-5 NKJV
[1] Vindicate me, O God, And plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! [2] For You are the God of my strength; Why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? [3] Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle. [4] Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. [5] Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.43.1-5.NKJV

I was reading Psalm 43 in my daily devotion and I noticed the title, which may or my not appear in the Bible translation you are reading, but in the New King James, it is.

The title included here is:

prayer to God in time of trouble.

And I was immediately thinking, isn’t that the time when most people pray to God; when they are experiencing trouble and turmoil in their lives, or for others who are experiencing the same?

How many of us turn to God in prayer when life is going great, and there doesn’t seem to be any trouble or discord? Indeed we should pray when life is good. Those are prayers of praise and thanksgiving.

Our prayers are conversations with God, when we pour out our hearts to Him, including our troubles and sorrows, along with our praises.

To worship God in spirit and in truth, with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength, means that we place our entire life in His hands. Not only our own life, but the lives of those we love and those we encounter on a daily basis; our neighbors.

Jesus tells us to “love our neighbor as yourself.” This includes lifting them up in prayer, because we know that God will work in their lives. James 5:16 tells us, ” the effective, fervent prayers of the righteous has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16 NLT)

God desires to hear our prayers. He’s not angry when we pour out our troubles and complaints. In fact, like the loving Father (Abba)he is, he welcomes our deep needs and those times when we are harassed, confused and helpless.

Matthew 9:36 NLT
[36] When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.9.36.NLT

Jesus is our Good Shepherd, who lays down His for His sheep. When we look to Him, He feeds, protects and listens to their voice. He said;

John 10:3 NLT
[3] The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.10.3.NLT

And,

John 10:27 NLT
[27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.10.27.NLT

In times of great trouble and distress, it is comforting and reassuring to know we can turn to Him in prayer. We can go to our prayer closet and meet with him regularly. He wants to hear from us and dekiver us. His love is deep and wide. Trust in His mercy and grace. Let Him lead you, as your shepherd, as He intercedes on your behalf before the Father. He is our mediator.

He is the answer to what plagues us and weighs us down; our worries, concerns and anxieties.

Psalms 46:1-3 NKJV
[1] God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; [3] Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.46.1-3.NKJV

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
[6] Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

https://bible.com/bible/116/php.4.6-7.NLT