Psalm verses contain truths for pattern of prayer

Sometimes the struggles of life can take a toll on us. We see situations and patterns that somehow never change. No matter how we try to go forward with life, there are those things that seem to keep us from progressing. It may be illness, financial or relationship issues.

These trials can lead us down a long, hard and discouraging road. It is easy to become discouraged in today’s society. All we have to do is take a look around us. Unfortunately, that is exactly what we do.

We begin to look at our circumstances and think that they will never change. The focus on our lives becomes our biggest and worst enemy. It’s the daily examination of our circumstances under a microscope that will cause us to lose our heavenly view. Although life’s problems introduce themselves as soon as we begin our day, it’s what we do with them and how we handle them that will determine the course of our waking hours.

In Psalm 37: 3-7, there are four truths that can be a pattern of prayer for our daily trials and struggles. The first portion is found in the beginning of verse 3 — “Trust in the Lord and do good: Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.”

We must trust that whatever the day holds for us, the Lord will provide us with the strength to make it through. It doesn’t matter how things may look, we must trust the God of all mercy recognizing that he already knows what each day holds.

At this time when many a man’s word means nothing, God’s word means everything. His word is true. If we trust the Lord with all that concerns us on a daily basis, he will always prove faithful. The Scripture says that we are to do good. This is a standard of life that is acceptable in the sight of God.

Obeying God and following his commands for right living is doing good. Also, if we will make an effort to give into the life of someone else, the focus on our problems will decrease and the compassion of the Lord will increase within us. Something to remember is this: No matter how hard our life seems, there is always someone else whose life is harder. Let’s try to take our eyes off of “us” and turn our eyes to Jesus. When our focus becomes him, through our trust in him, he will work it all out for us.

The next portion of verse 3 reads, “Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.” Abide, remain and walk through where we are today. We don’t need to run from the circumstances or hurts which life produces. We need to stay put, stand still, pray and trust the Lord.

All that we have in this life is a gift from God. He gives us the ability, the open doors of opportunity, the wisdom and strength to accomplish. He has the answers, but requires us to ask. That asking in prayer will provide us with all that we need.

As we dwell in the place God has ordained for this time, we are to live and not give up. If we give up on life we have ceased to trust. Don’t give up, take a stand, pray and wait for the answer. In addition, we are charged to cultivate faithfulness. We should nourish and nurture our hearts with the reading of Scripture, having faith that all will be well because God says so.

Verse 4 reads, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Submitting to the Lordship of Christ in our life will produce joy. And he who sees the hearts of all will graciously give us the desires of our heart.

XPatty Scahill of Struthers, who is a conference speaker, preacher, teacher and author, attends Christian Life Center in Canfield. A former women’s director of Teen Challenge in Youngstown, she is working on her second book, “The Wilderness Journey.”