A Theology of Prayer - Struggles in Prayer

Study 70

Text: Psalm 22

BE AWARE OF HOW EVIL CAN AFFECT US PERSONALLY

It is good to be confident, but we must guard against evil. In unguarded moments, evil can and will mount attacks in the most personal way! Psalm 22 (A Messianic psalm well illustrates this).
"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Why are You so far from helping Me?
And from the words of My groaning?" Psalm 22:1

CITATION OF THESE WORDS BY THE LORD JESUS

None other than the Lord Jesus Himself cited these words on the Cross at Calvary. How do we understand these words?

1. Evil can cause us to feel estranged from God!

A feeling must be distinguished from a fact. God is never far away! But evil can cause a person to feel as if God has forsaken man!

2. The humanity of Christ

The Lord Jesus was both Man and God at the same time. He never ceased being God at any time. However, when He put on flesh, He had to become fully subject to all that a human being may feel in times of great distress. These words of anguish were uttered by Jesus the Man! Evil can inflict a terrible sense of distress to even Jesus!

3. Evil will mount every possible attack conceivable

Evil raised many attacks against the Lord Jesus:-

a) Physical attack

Jesus was terribly beaten. Then He was horribly crucified, one of the most terrible ways to execute a person!

b) Emotional

He was almost emotionally attacked. His disciples fled from him. His enemies taunted Him. He was emotionally distraught!

c) Spiritual

Evil dared to suggest that God had forsaken His only-begotten Son! Evil will attempt to create doubts that bring anguish to the soul!

PRAYER FROM THE DEPTH OF THE SOUL

What is the best way to combat evil? Surely, prayer from the depths of the soul is the best answer! Even as prayer is offered, God hears and He will respond immediately. He will strengthen the soul. He will grant courage to defeat evil on its own grounds. Fear cannot stand against the soul that has found courage and strength from the Lord. How we must be challenged to learn how to pray at an even deeper level!

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~