How do we pray for difficult life circumstances?

How should we react when something happens, illness, accidents, loss, whatever – . What does the Bible teach? Are we to put the concern on a bulletin board, a prayer list, an e-mail, or what? I feel that when I advertise them I open the door to ridicule if things don’t happen the way we would like it, or the way we think. What is the answer?

Here are some thoughts concerning your question about prayer.

When things happen which cause concern such as illness, loss, or tragedy, these are things prayer is designed for. Taking those concerns to our heavenly Father brings him into the situation. The situation becomes a spiritual nature in that the Holy Spirit is involved in our prayers (Romans 8:26-28), God’s Word in our hearts begin to come to mind, and in understanding “right division” we can know why things happen and that God’s grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:8-10).

This is what is taught in that wonderful passage of Philippians 4:6,7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

So while you may desire to share your needs with others, it’s not that God will be moved by more people praying, it is so that other members of the Body of Christ can help where they can, if only to comfort.

Philippians 4:11-13 is how God would have us handle those situations in life:

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. …. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Hope this helps answer your questions on prayer. At least it should guide your thoughts.

Thanks for your support for Forgotten Truths. Prayer is one of those most confused issues that God’s Word rightly divided clears for us and provides the proper expectations of how God works in us and his promises to us, in this age of grace.