Dear HLPC family,
Years ago, a book became popular in Christian circles called The Prayer of Jabez. The theology of that book was fraught with problems. I’m more drawn to “The Prayer of Jehoshaphat.” Maybe I need to write a book with that title!
In 2 Chronicles 20 we read that Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, was facing a great army intent on Judah’s destruction. He was understandably overwhelmed and afraid. He prayed to God in the temple for help and rescue. The closing line of his recorded prayer is “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)
Being overwhelmed is nothing new for many of us. If you’re not there now, you will be one day. We face hard decisions, strained relationships, economic hardship, health challenges, difficult trials, as well as the fallout from our own bad decisions or sinful choices. What do we do?
We need to pray like Jehoshaphat. What would that mean? We give the Lord our burdens and freely admit our inadequacy, and in that way tell Him “we don’t know what to do.” Then we put our eyes on Him—we look to the Lord in faith. We pray for grace to trust Him. We look to His Word with the help of His Spirit for guidance. We trust Him to guide, order, and direct our lives as we seek to honor Him.
Sometimes life feels like stumbling in a dark room while fumbling for the light switch. That’s when the prayer of Jehoshaphat is a great help. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. Maybe that needs to be your prayer today.
Your Pastor,
Paul