The Panacea of Prayer
Today's Verse:
For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. ~Psalm 109:4
The word panacea means “a cure-all for problems or difficulties.” It has the idea of an effective remedy or solution for all problems regardless of its dimensions, difficulties, or dismay. Trials and afflictions are part of the Christian life. Without them, we can’t grow in the Lord. Without them, we won’t understand the scope of God’s grace at work in us. No two trials, afflictions, or problems are alike. James describes our trials as being diverse. They can weigh us down and defeat our spirit. However, we can be encouraged this morning that there is a panacea for all of our trials. This morning, we see the panacea of prayer for every Christian.
We see the extenuating pressures.
David was under severe criticism and verbal attack by his enemies. The enemies sought to destroy his reputation, his morale, and his credibility through disparaging words. He said, “They have spoken against me with a lying tongue” (v. 2). He said, “They compassed me about with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause” (v. 3). Topping all this off, he said, “For my love they are my adversaries” (v. 4). No matter how much good David tried to do for them, his adversaries intensified their attacks against him. The pressures brought him to a very low state in his spiritual life. He described himself as being poor and needy, wounded in heart, gone like the shadow when it declineth, tossed up and down like a locust, and such a reproach that they shook their heads at him. David felt humbled, hurt, and hopeless. What David experienced, we will experience when people turn on us and become our enemies.
We see the extraordinary of prayer.
David was way over his head in problems. However, he made a powerful statement of transference and trust. “I give myself unto prayer.” He was saying that there is only one panacea that would get him through his circumstances. That panacea is praying completely and confidently about his adversaries. How is prayer a real panacea? First, it alleviates us from the stress. We are giving our burden to the Lord. Second, it helps us to see God as our refuge during the storm we are in. Third, it is asking God to show that He is strong on our behalf. Fourth, it delivers us from bitterness as we pour out our hearts to God. Fifth, it turns the problem-solving over to God. We should determine to give ourselves to prayer whenever any problem or circumstance comes into our life.
We see the extricating product.
How does prayer help us? It strengthens our shield of faith so that the fiery darts of hurtful words do not bother us. We tend to allow criticism to wear away at our soul and make us extremely insecure. Extensive prayer gives us liberty from this burden. It leads us to pray for our enemies. Jesus said that we should love and pray for our enemies. When we pray for our enemies, we can see the bigger picture from God’s eye lens. God changes us, and He changes our circumstances. It changes us so that we praise God for our problems and the solutions that He gives us. When Daniel was thrust into the lions' den, he probably thought about the disparaging words of his enemies. However, while he was in that den, he gave himself to prayer. The lions' mouths were shut, and they could not touch him. Prayer makes us untouchable to the enemy. Daniel’s decision to pray resulted in God being glorified and His name being magnified among the Persians. Prayer extricates us from the imprisonment of discouragement.
Discover today the panacea of prayer. Experience the power of prayer in all your difficulties and challenges.
Have a prayerful God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Ezekiel 16-17
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