“In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.” – Psalm 86:7

We are living through something that we will remember for the rest of our lives.  The coronavirus pandemic has touched all of us in some way.  You or one of your loved ones may have the virus.  You may know someone who has the virus or someone who lost a loved one from the virus.  You may have had your hours cut back at work or lost your job.  You may be wondering how you are going to pay your bills.  You may not be able to return to school for the foreseeable future.  You may be struggling with the loneliness of “sheltering in place.”  You may be struggling with the fear of not knowing how or when this will all end.  You may be missing your family and friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. 

We are in a day of trouble.  These are days unlike any of us have ever lived through.  These are troubling days because of what is happening and what may still yet happen. 

What are the people of God supposed to do during a time like this?  The short answer is: pray.  King David says is like this in Psalm 86:7, “In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.”  David’s plan during trouble was to pray.  It was not a complicated plan.  When trouble came his way, he resolved to pray. 

And David had lots of trouble come his way!  He wrestled lions and bears (1 Sam. 17:34-35).  He stood toe-to-toe with a giant (vv. 48-49).  His friend tried to kill him (1 Sam. 19).  His wives were captured by his enemies (1 Sam. 30).  His best friend died in battle (2 Sam. 1).  He committed adultery and murder (2 Sam. 11-12).  He lost a baby (2 Sam. 12).  One of his sons was murdered by his brother, who then tried to steal his kingdom (2 Sam. 13, 15).  And on and on the story of David’s trouble goes. 

David knew trouble.  He experienced pain, loss, anxiety, fear, grief, betrayal, hunger, violence, sin, loneliness, and the disruption of all that was good in his life.  He knew trouble in ways that we perhaps never will.

What was David’s response to all this trouble?  “In the day of my trouble I call upon you” (Ps. 86:7).  Prayer was David’s plan in the day of trouble.  This is a repeated theme throughout Psalm 86.  Verse 1, “Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.”  Verse 3, “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day.”  Verse 4, “Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.”  David knew that the Lord was good and forgiving and showed steadfast love to “all who call on him” (v. 5).  David even prayed for his praying, “Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace” (v. 6).  David turned to God in prayer when trouble came his way.

During these uncertain days, these days of trouble, we need the Lord.  And we find him through prayer.  Many of us are on less-hurried schedules, meaning we have more time to sit with the Lord and listen to him through his Word and talk to him through prayer.  God is giving us a great opportunity to grow in the discipline and pleasure of prayer.  I pray that we are walking in wisdom and making the best use of this strange time (Eph. 5:15-16).

If you struggle knowing how to pray or knowing what to pray for, try using the A.C.T.S. model for your prayers.  I use it almost every day.  Start by Adoring God (or praising and worshipping him).  Then Confess your sin to him.  Then Thank him for his grace in Christ and all the other many blessings in your life.  Then close by offering up your requests, or Supplications, to him. 

Here are some examples of specific and strategic requests for these days we are living in:

  • “Lord, guard our church from fear and anxiety.  Help us to trust that you are in control.”
  • “Lord, provide relief for those suffering from the effects of the virus throughout the world.  Please bring the spread of this virus to an end.”
  • “Lord, be glorified in drawing people to you and your Word during these days of sickness and fear.”
  • “Lord, help our church to grow together even while we are apart.  Help us to keep loving and serving one another.  Give us wisdom and creativity in how to best do this.”
  • “Lord, guard us from being consumed with news and entertainment.  Help us to find our hope in you and your Word.”
  • “Lord, help our leaders to be wise in their decision-making.  Help them to know how to best utilize our medical resources.  Strengthen and protect and provide for healthcare workers.  Help them to know your love and presence.”
  • “Lord, help us to find ways to reach people who do not know you with the hope of the gospel.  Help us to be sensitive, wise, and bold with the good news of Christ.”
  • “Lord, humble us with the reality of our weakness and frailty.  Help us to number our days in order to gain hearts of wisdom.”
  • “Lord, stir our hearts to hope in the return of your Son and the New Heaven and New Earth where sickness and trouble will be no more.”

Pray through a couple of these each day, remembering the promise at the end of Psalm 86:7, “In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.”  Everything else in our lives may be uncertain, but this promise is certain.  The Lord will answer us when we call out to him in our day of trouble. 

Praying With and For You,
Pastor John