Prayer for Deliverance and Guidance

Psalm 143

Prayer for Deliverance and Guidance

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Today, I am leaving you a reference point for all of Psalm 143.  I often use Bible Gateway,  because it is easy to view when I am working on my laptop.  I appreciate the many texts they have available, as well as options for viewing scripture.   I also enjoy reading my paper texts:  there is comfort in reading my Bible, underlining scripture or again reading passages I have highlighted.  The thing to remember, for all us, is many scriptures do stand alone in meaning;  however, it is always best to read in the context of the text.  May God fully enrich your understanding of His Word.  

Last night, I cried out to God, "Show me the scripture I need to read."  At the time, I was going through an evening of pain and confusion.  My peace felt shattered:  I could no longer feel it.  Instead, I felt as if there was a huge wooden block filling my heart every time I tried to calm myself and make sense of the thing that upset me.

I spent a couple of hours last night trying to block the pain an confusion from my mind by reading, playing a game on the computer, praying, watching TV;  but it wasn't blocking I needed.  It was feeling the feelings and finding the right scripture that would calm my heart and help me see clearly again.

My God did that for me.  I clicked on Bible Gateway, and there it was:  “Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10 NASB  God gave me answer I needed so desperately;  and I knew I had to read more, so we are going into a study of Psalm 143.

Prayer:  Indeed, Father, You are the giver of all that is good and can help me in any situation..  Thank you for setting me of the level ground of believing and following you.  Thank you for the confidence and peace with which you fill my heart.  I love you, Lord.  In the name of my savior Jesus Christ, I pray.  Amen

Free from Doubt

There have been times during my illness, that I have begun to doubt important things I know about myself. The most crucial aspect of my life I doubted was my relationship to God;  and this is something I thought I would never doubt.  However, I felt guilty because I wasn't doing the activities that I felt were part of my spiritual service, and even though, I knew my fellowship with the Lord did not depend on activity, I struggled with being too sick to attend church, teach, or sing in the choir.  Your activities may be different.  Perhaps, you have been a volunteer in your community, and you felt like that was your service.  It is hard to give it up.  

I lacked discipline in studying God's word, my prayer life suffered--so it seemed to me.  I couldn't concentrate, and I watched too much television.  I had more time than ever on my hands  to spend time with God, but that was sporadic at best.  I never seemed to be able to finish a Christian book.  I even thought I was a failure as a Christian -- you see, I felt like a failure, because I couldn't get well;  and,  that  is just stinkin' thinkin', as my husband would say.


One of the verses that I have had to read over and over again is Romans 8:35:  Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  (NASB).   I  have been reminded that illness does not separate me from God or His love.  In Romans 8:38-39, I am told that ...that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Absolutely, nothing can separate me or you from God's love if we are in Christ Jesus.

What Gives Me Life

This is my comfort in my affliction,     
For Your word has given me life.
Palm 119:50

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It is easy to get caught up in day to day ephemera, which distracts me from spending time with God.  Sometimes, in a moment of guilt,

I will rattle off a quick prayer, which is a good thing;  
but, it is often a substitute for quiet reflection and fellowship with God.  The truth is that God's word is essential for my life.  It is what I read in the Bible that feeds my soul and comforts me in my difficulties.  It is His word that will last forever.

Scripture taken from 
New King James Version (NKJV)

The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Delivered From My Fears

Has your world ever been shattered?  Mine has, more than once.  There are so many culprits in the war against our hearts and minds, so many things that contend in the evil battle to take our peace. I know you can list some:  we all have them;  however, we do not have to succumb to the fears that threaten to overtake us. 

Have you cried out to God?  I have, because my heart felt torn, confused, and betrayed.  Again, I don't need to mention specifics:  I'm sure you have experienced these feelings in your life.  Most of us have experienced pain and suffering, or we know someone else who has  suffered intensely.

The psalmist David spoke words that reach right into my heart, words that remind me that God really cares and He loves me.  David sought the Lord, and  [God]  answered [him].  If God had an answer for David, then He has an answer for me.  I am absolutely sure of that:  I have experienced it in my own life.  However, I haven't always gotten instant answers:  more often than not, I have had to wait.  But there is one thing I have not had to wait on:  I haven't had to wait for peace in my heart, for the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.    

I sought the Lord,and He answered me, 
And delivered me from all my fears...
^5 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him 

And saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.

O taste and see that the Lord is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! 

Psalm 34: 4-8

“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB." 

www.lockman.org



P. S.  Today,  I was reading "God, Are You Aware?"  in Teri Lynne Underwood's blog Where The Sacred And The Secular Collide.   I am often amazed at how God puts a scripture, a sermon, a book, or a blog in my path;  and, it meets a particular need or a lesson God is teaching me.  Even though, I may be amazed, I am not surprised;  because, it has happened so often in my life.