First, Cry For Help

As Christians, we are a people with many privileges – perhaps many more than we realize. But there is no doubt that the highest privilege is the privilege of prayer. We would, perhaps, all agree that the greatest tragedy of our lives would be that we neglect to pray.

Someone once compared prayer to a fireman going to put out a fire with no water for his hose or a person who is poverty-stricken not knowing what to do with a blank check or a piece of gold.

Jesus prayed. He felt the need to pray and spent much time in prayer. Prayer was so very important to Him that He made it a great part of His life. Imagine – the Creator of the universe praying! Prayer to Him was like breathing: He did it constantly and continually. He knew that He would not survive unless He was in constant contact with His Father.

Unfortunately, prayer for many of us is something we do after “things” are set in motion, start to go wrong or “explode.” The day begins and before we know it “things” are going astray. So, we stop and ask God to “get here quickly before things are beyond my control.”

Wisely the Psalmist wrote, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in Your Word.” Before he did anything, he began his day in prayer and placed his hope in God and not man. What a powerful thought. What a great idea. What a way to live. What great advice!

“Lord, the sun is waiting to rise, and I have all these things to do today. I know it’s a long list and many things can go wrong. So, I look to You first for hope and help.”

Prayer: So often we wait until we sense danger to pray. Help us realize, Father, how different our lives would be if we began each day with You – seeking Your help! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in Your Word. Psalm 119:147