(Note: St. Augustine is famous for writing a book called “The Confessions,” which was written completely as a prayer to God. In the same spirit, I plan to write these posts as a prayer to God.)
“I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.” (Psalm 3:4–6, ESV)
I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill.
Heavenly Father, I thank you for being there to hear my cries. I can’t imagine going through life with nowhere to turn in the midst of my struggles—having to carry these burdens myself. Yet, you are always there to hear my cries for help. You are always there to hear me when I need you. I am confident that the sound of my trials will not drown out my cries for help. You are there, and you are listening.
Yet, even better, Father, you are answering my prayers. That gives me such great hope and confidence. You hear my prayers and you answer them from your holy hill—you answer them in power and perfection. To be honest, Father, I don’t even know what I should pray for at times. Sometimes I can only eek out the word “Help!” Yet, I am confident that you know the best way to answer this prayer and that you will answer it in power and perfection. I don’t have to know what to prayer for, I can cry out to you and trust that you know what the answer is and that you will do it.
I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me
Father, that’s why I can sleep at night. That’s why I can sleep in the midst of trials and struggles. I know that you have heard my prayers and will answer them in power and perfection. I can sleep because I don’t have to pretend like I’m carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders—or like I am in control. I’m not. You are. So, I can cast my anxieties on you and sleep in peace. Not only can I sleep in peace, but I can live each day in that peace. In the midst of all my difficulties, you are in control and your there hearing and answering my prayers. I can sleep with a holy confidence.
Father, I can also wake up and live because you sustain me. Not only do you hear my prayers and answer them in the midst of struggle, but you sustain me in the midst of these trials. You give me strength and perseverance to make it through. Father, I know that I could not make it through these times without you. I’m not strong enough on my own. Yet, you give me the strength I need. Even when I don’t know what trial is coming ahead of me, I can take the next step, trusting that you will give me strength and guidance, trusting that you will sustain me.
I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.
Father, I have to admit that I don’t always feel this confidence. I often allow fear to grab hold of me. I often allow anxiety to creep up and overtake me. I often am blinded by the thousands of enemies that come at me from every side. Father, help me. Help me see beyond these trials to You—my protector and sustainer, the One who hears and answers my prayers. Father, help me see things rightly—to see you clearly.
Father, I thank you I no longer have to live in fear. I don’t have to tip-toe through life, worried about what will happen next. I can walk with boldness and confidence because you are there to hear my prayers, answer those prayers, and strengthen me in the midst of the most difficult trials. It no longer matters what the world or Satan throw at me. They can throw thousands of enemies at me. They can throw thousands of diseases at me. They can throw thousands of trials at me. I will not be afraid because you are my God, and I am your child.