“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22(ESV).
“What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry,
Everything to God in prayer…..”
The above text is from a gentle song, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” written as a poem by an Irish-Canadian, Joseph Scriven (1819-1886). Later, an American Attorney, Charles Crozat Converse, wrote this poem as music. As I listened to the words, I thought of how true we forfeit the peace we could have and how we bear needless pain because we forget to bring our burdens to God in prayer. Our greatest Friend took our pain. Our sins were nailed to a cross. He bore our burdens. Jesus was a “man of sorrows” and very familiar with suffering. He understands. No fear, pain, grief or burden is too big or too small for Him. We must remember to cast these burdens and allow Him to sustain us. We need to bring everything to God in prayer.
Imagine a moment where a mountain seems to be blocking your way. You cry out that you can’t do this. It looks too big. Maybe you want to scream because life has just become so overwhelming. But then you sit in stillness, and you call to Jesus. You cast your troubles on Him, and He takes your hand and promises He will be with you. He gives you vision and clarity. As He climbs the mountain with you, He removes the weight off your shoulders and lifts the burden from your heart. He makes your feet like deer feet: secure. As you begin the journey up this mountain of what looks impossible, you start to feel confident and stronger. His peace beyond understanding frees you from the weight of your burden. He shows you opportunity as He shines His light. He dulls the darkness. As you begin your climb, He tells you how wonderful it was that you brought your burden to Him in prayer. He confirms that with Him, you are more than a conqueror. He reminds you of how much He loves you and how wonderful God is, who has laid out beautiful examples of faithful prayer warriors throughout His Word.
I am reminded of Nehemiah, a great leader who drew His strength from the LORD. He had a great mountain to climb, depended on God, and prayed before beginning a task or immediately as trouble would brew. Not all Nehemiah’s prayers were long or in-depth, but they were all from his heart. And he was seeking the approval of God, not of man. Nehemiah had a significant task and trusted God to walk with Him to completion. Nehemiah’s mission was not just rebuilding and restoring the wall and gates of Jerusalem but also the spiritual restoration and preservation of the identity of the Jewish people. God’s chosen. Nehemiah began his first recorded prayer in adoration and worship of God: “…O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God…” (Nehemiah 1:5). God faithfully walked with Nehemiah. He brought every task and trouble before the LORD in prayer.
I think of dear Hannah, who longed for a child. I can only imagine the shame she felt as she was barren. She was a woman of great faith. With a heart of distress, anguish and tears flowing, she cried out to God, vowing that if He looked upon her affliction, she would dedicate her son to the LORD, serving Him all his days. She uttered a prayer of selflessness, promising to give God the precious gift she longed for as she knew her son belonged to God. God heard Hannah’s heart, opened her womb and granted her a son, Samuel. True to Hannah’s promise to God, Samuel was raised by the prophet Eli and became a prophet himself. In Hannah’s gratitude, she worships the LORD in prayer; “My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD…” (1 Samuel 2:1). God is worthy of our praise. Hannah brought her brokenness to God in prayer.
The prayer that deeply pierces hearts is that of Jesus in Gethsemane. Before His physical pain and separation from God, His human nature struggled. He told His disciples His soul was sorrowful, even to death. He fell on His face before His Father, asking if there was another way to let this cup pass from Him. He prayed with such agony that sweat became like great drops of blood. Jesus, who taught us how to pray, did nothing except what the Father showed Him to do. Perfect and faithful in prayer. It may appear that the Father did not grant Jesus’ request, but He did, and now He sits in the right hand of God, and He intercedes for us. I think of the High Priestly Prayer (John 17) and Jesus’ words, “I made known to them Your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” God granted Jesus’ request. Our Lord and Saviour Himself brought everything to God in prayer.
The song ends…
“In His arms, He’ll take and shield you,
We will find a solace there.”
Gracious Sovereign God, we give You the glory that we can come before Your throne of grace. With all our worries, struggles and sins, let us always remember the sacrifice that was made so we can find peace that can only be found in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. You are our Father of compassion, who sustains us. In Jesus’ name, we bring everything to You, our God, in prayer. AMEN
