Prayer Heard and Answered
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Prayer Heard and Answered
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble — and He saved them from their distress!" Psalm 107:79
This idea is repeated four times in this Psalm; and the truth contained in it is repeated many times in other Scriptures. Trouble drives true believers to the Lord in genuine, fervent prayer.
When all is smooth and pleasant, we tend to recite our prayers — rather than truly pray to the Lord. Then there is no earnestness or power in our prayers. But when we are laden down with trouble; when we feel that we are in imminent peril; when we see that no one can deliver us but God — then we cry unto the Lord!
We then feel more than we can say. Our prayers well up from the very depths of our hearts. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, while our hearts plead with the Lord; and when prayers come from our hearts like this — they always touch the heart of God. We cry — and the Lord saves us out of our distresses!
Deliverance is certain when faith is exercised and prayer is presented. But how the Lord will deliver us, and when — must be left to Him. It is enough for us to know that He will deliver, and that both His wisdom and His mercy will guide Him in our deliverance.
In death — our last trouble, when the heart and flesh are failing — we will cry unto the Lord. Then will come our last, our complete deliverance. And what a glorious deliverance it will be! Oh, anticipate it often with confidence and satisfaction!
Beloved! Sincere prayer prevails now; prayer will prevail in all our future trials and troubles; and prayer will prevail in the hour of death. Let us not yield to doubt or fear; let us not despond or complain; but let us cry unto the Lord in our troubles, and continue to cry, until the day He delivers us out of our distresses and sets us before His face forever!
"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto You, when my heart is overwhelmed! Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I! For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe!" Psalm 61:1-3
"Call on Me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honour Me!" Psalm 50:15