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Day 17: God Answers to the Desperate Needs and Pressures of This Time
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, throughout history You have proven Yourself as a refuge and strength for Your children in their times of distress. We come before You now acknowledging the pressures and needs of this moment. You see the worries, anxieties, difficulties and injustices weighed heavily on hearts and minds. We ask that You would meet each person with Your comfort, provision, healing and peace. For all those crying out in desperation, may they sense Your nearness. Move powerfully to answer in accordance with Your perfect will. We trust that You hear the cries of the righteous and long to deliver them. May Your hope and joy be made known in this season through Your mighty acts. We ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture Reading and Reflection
Psalm 34:17 KJV
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth,and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
Reflection:
When we look back through the pages of scripture and history, we see account after account of how God has provided for us in our most desperate hours of need. In times of exile, oppression, famine, plague and war, God sustained those who called on His name. God parted the waters, provided manna in the wilderness, multiplied loaves and fish to feed the hungry crowds. God delivered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace. Throughout the ups and downs of God’s people Israel, His faithfulness never ceased. In our own time, we see lives continually transformed as God answers the cry of souls in anguish. His healing hand is at work bringing wholeness, His provision flows, and His strength is made perfect in weakness. Even in this present age of uncertainty, sickness, injustice and unrest, God is moving as a strong tower of refuge. His touch still delivers us from sinking sand and miry clay. Yet God’s greatest answer to our deepest need was sending His Son Jesus to take on human flesh. By His death and resurrection, God provided the ultimate solution for our greatest pressure – the weight of sin and prospect of death. Through Christ, there is hope beyond the grave for all who call on God’s Name. As we reflect on God’s faithfulness in ages past and presence, may the empowerment of God’s Spirit continue bringing His hope to the hopeless through His Church. May God’s light shine ever brighter in the darkness. His compassion never fails; to Him alone belongs praise for His sure deliverances, both in times past and yet to come.Hymn:
The LORD Ever Answer Your Cries of Distress
1 The LORD ever answer your cries of distress; may Jacob’s God keep you, whose name you confess. God send you relief from his holiest place, and grant you from Zion support by his grace.
2 And may he remember each sacrifice made, accept on the altar your offerings laid, fulfill, in his love, the desire of your heart— success to each one of your plans to impart.
3 With joy we will shout when your vict’ry is won; we’ll lift up our banners in God’s name alone. The LORD in his mercy receive your request, and grant your petitions as seems to him best.
4 Now truly I know that the LORD from above protects his anointed in covenant love; from heaven he hears and attends to his cry, and saves by the pow’r of his right hand on high.
5 In horses or chariots some trust for defense; the name of the LORD is our strong confidence. They’re brought to their knees, while in strength we arise. O prosper the king, LORD, and answer our cries!
Lyrics: Scottish Psalter, alt., Music: John Roberts
Creative Activities: 1. Scripture Writing
Write out Psalm 34:17 in your best handwriting on the Scripture writing page which you can download below.
Please download the Scripture Writing Page below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only.
Commercial use not allowed.
Download Scripture Writing Page
Creative Activities: 2. Bible Journaling
- Illustrating the circumstance and how you cried out to God
- Incorporating relevant Bible verses that brought comfort during that season
- Drawing images representing how God intervened or is continuing to work
- Adding prayers through words or symbols over similar present situations
- Highlighting lessons learned about God’s faithfulness, character, timing or will
- Doodling insights gained on partnering with Him through fasting and prayer
Creative Activities: 3. Doodling
- Hands raised in prayer
- Hearts with burdens being lifted
- Doves representing the peace of God
- Anchors for hope and stability
- Crosses and redemption
- Open Bibles with verses jumping out
- Cups overflowing with provision
- Scales tipping from injustice to justice
- Eyes watching and ears listening for God’s guidance
- Mountains being leveled in difficult times
- Circles or arrows to highlight God’s constant faithfulness
Please download the Doodle Printable below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only. Commercial use not allowed.
Download Doodle Printable
Creative Activities: 4. Journaling
Reflect and Journal:
- What Scriptures or personal reflections best remind you that God is near during difficult times?
- How has praying and bringing your need to Him impacted your perspective or faith?
Download Journal Printable
Applying and Taking Action
- Who can you encourage by sharing how God met you in a time of need? Testify to His faithfulness.
- Are there areas of worry, fear or unmet needs that you can be more intentional about casting on God through prayer?
- Examine your daily worries. Is there a tendency to take on burdens Jesus invites you to leave at the cross?
- Looking ahead, how will spending time daily in prayer and Scriptures position you to recognize and receive God’s voice?
- Find a prayer partner to intercede with you on a regular basis over pressing concerns or ministry opportunities.
- Check your journal periodically to recall all that God has done and fuel your hope for the future.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your faithfulness that truly knows no end. Throughout the ages and in our own lives, You have proven yourself as a refuge and deliverer in times of great need. You are our strong tower, our provider and protector. We praise You for the ultimate demonstration of Your love – sending Your Son Jesus to save us from sin and death.
As we end this time reflecting on Your faithfulness, we pray that our trust in You would be strengthened. Help us to cast all of our anxieties and worries upon You, knowing that You care for us. Give us discerning hearts to recognize the areas where we tend to take back burdens You invite us to leave at the cross. May we increasingly depend upon You through daily prayer and time in Your word.
We lift up to You those currently facing difficulties, pressures and trials. Please meet them powerfully as only You can. May Your peace that surpasses all understanding guard their hearts and minds. And may the encouragements we found today in studying Your faithfulness spread to others through our testimony.
In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, AMEN.
If you have been blessed by this Creative Lent Devotional, please share it with others. Many thanks. God bless you!
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