The Battle

The Battle

As artillery fell around him with an earth-shaking whoomp, the young soldier prayed fervently, " Lord, if you get me through this, I'll go to that Bible school Mom wanted me to attend." God honored his focused prayer. My dad survived World War 2, went to Moody Bible Institute, and invested his life in ministry.

Another warrior endured a different crisis that drove him to God, but his problems arose when he avoided combat. As King David's troops fought the Ammonites, David was back at his palace casting more than just a glance at another man's wife. In Psalm 39, David chronicles the painful process of restoration from the terrible sin that resulted. " The turmoil within me grew worse, " he wrote. " The more I thought about it, the hotter I got."

David's broken spirit caused him to reflect: " Show me, Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is." Amid his renewed focus, David didn't despair. He had nowhere else to turn. " But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you." David would survive this personal battle and go on to serve God.

What motivates our prayer life doesn't matter as much as the focus of our prayer. God is our source of hope. He wants us to share our heart with Him.

Father, our hope is in You. Forgive us for seeking answers apart from You. Draw us close to You today.

We are in the best place we can imagine when we go to God in prayer.