Down, Not Out

A prayer of one overwhelmed with trouble, pouring out problems before the LORD... (Psalms 102:1 NLT)

Before Life Bridge opened to the public, prayer was an intricate part of the vision-fabric.  People prayed about this church even 10 years before it began.  Traci and I found this ministry led by God through prayer.  Over one hundred prayer partners prayed Life Bridge into existence.  Now, every week I find myself praying for the heartfelt requests of the people who call this their church home.  I love lifting up people in prayer.

LORD, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea! Don't turn away from me in my time of distress. Bend down to listen, and answer me quickly when I call to You. For my days disappear like smoke, and my bones burn like red-hot coals. My heart is sick, withered like grass, and I have lost my appetite. Because of my groaning, I am reduced to skin and bones. I am like an owl in the desert, like a little owl in a far-off wilderness. I lie awake, lonely as a solitary bird on the roof. My enemies taunt me day after day. They mock and curse me. (Psalms 102:1-8 NLT)

The process of reading the requests and lifting them up, however, quickly became overwhelming.  It wasn't difficult keeping up with the volume of the requests.  It was the content of the requests that overwhelmed me in the early years.  People would be crying out to God over loss, addictions, hurt, fear, anger, financial burdens, lost souls, and even death.  I would read the requests and wonder how people face these burdens in life and continue on from day to day.

But I cried to Him, "O my God, who lives forever, don't take my life while I am so young! Long ago You laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with Your hands. They will perish, but You remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing. You will change them like a garment and discard them. (Psalms 102:24-26 NLT)

Then I would remember why I was reading the requests in the first place.  People weren't expecting me to fix the problems they were facing.  They were asking God.  I simply had the privilege of coming along side of them and lifting them up to Him.  My shoulders weren't big enough to carry the burden found in these requests - but Gods were.  He created the heavens and the earth.  He holds all things together.  He can carry their burdens.  He can help.  He loves us.  He wants to help us get through anything we face.  He his God.

But You are always the same; You will live forever. The children of Your people will live in security. Their children's children will thrive in Your presence." (Psalms 102:27-28 NLT)
 
Then, and only then, would I find peace.  When people around me did the same thing (turning their troubles over to God), I saw peace in their eyes as well.  They were down, but not out.  And so was I...down but not out.  It all worked when I turned things over to God.  I found peace.

God really does want to give us the fruit of His Spirit.  God really does want to empower us.  He really does want to help us through this life.  He wants to help us live in security.  He wants our children's children to thrive in His presence.  Praise God!