30 Days of Prayer: Holding Me

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (see also Isaiah 40:4-5, 10-11, and Ephesians 3:20)

Being a nurse (and admittedly, an enneagram type one) I have the desire to “fix it”. Some problems are easy to correct: High blood pressure? Prescribe medication and promote healthy life choices. Trouble breathing? Administer oxygen and get a chest x-ray. At home, as a parent, I find myself also wanting the “magic potion” or the immediate solution to change my children’s behavior, disobedience, etc.

While at times in life we find those simple solutions, often we are left at the other end of the spectrum. We cannot see what or how we will change our situation, our tension, our anxiety, or, in this present time, our global pandemic of COVID-19. So, what happens when we don’t have the answers? Our focus needs to be on the One who knows all and who is always near. The artwork here summarizes how I can go to work, not “fix” my patient and feel a sense of peace. The One who does hold all the answers is holding me. Jesus is able to hold you too in the midst of your own personal storm.

In our current circumstance, there are more questions than answers—may we go confidently to Jesus in times of uncertainty and feel his power in us! Our prayer focus today is for a cure and vaccine to stop COVID-19. This is a big prayer, but we serve an even bigger God.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we come to you with awe and wonder. We know you are greater than any battle we face, including the current war against COVID-19. We pray today that a vaccine and a cure for COVID-19 will be developed. We pray for those who are working towards the cure—may they feel your power and may they be encouraged by others who know you. We praise you for the ways in which you are working. Your ways are truly higher than our ways.

For Reflection:

• Do I find myself trying to “fix” problems on my own before coming to the Lord?
• How can I lay down my striving and begin seeking Him more?
• Listen to Another In The Fire by Hillsong United. When reflecting on your own life, think of ways in which you saw or felt Jesus with you during a difficult situation. Write them down and thank him for being with you!

By Melanie Gall