The Pastoral Prayer line at 3ABN is daily flooded with calls. People with different issues—serious issues—the “stuff” of life. Some suffer consequences for their own bad decisions, while others suffer the spillover effects that result from living in a sin-sick world. Lots of crying, anxiety, and confusion comes pouring through the prayer line, from souls overwhelmed by sorrow. Each call takes on a personality of its own.
I’m not here to second guess anyone. I’m here to extend God’s hands to those who are drowning emotionally. All I can do is say, “Help, Lord!” and pray the Holy Spirit will guide our prayer time and give me the right word of encouragement for these precious hurting people.
Listening to a complicated issue the other day, I had no idea how to minister to the caller. As he continued to pour out his problems, I silently called upon the Lord for direction. Suddenly a Scripture thought came to my mind—blinking like a neon sign.
The Lord watches! The Lord is our Keeper! The Lord shall preserve you from all evil!
Where had I just read that? I grabbed my Bible and opened to Psalm 121. Yes! Yes! Thank You, Jesus! There it was. The song of David, where he talks about the four stages of assurance from God: He helps us; He keeps us, He protects us, He preserves us.
Without hesitation I began reading aloud to him the prelude above verse 1, “God the Help of those who seek Him,” and continued on to the first verse of the Psalm, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”
The man on the other end of the phone began crying. The Spirit led me to Isaiah 41:10,13 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand….For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not. I will help you.’”
His crying turned to sobbing, but the Lord was reaching his heavy heart. I could hear him talking to God between gasps. I waited patiently until he was quieted. But it got so very quiet.
I finally asked, “George, are you still with me?”
“Yes,” he responded in a muted voice, “I’m straining to let this all go away.”
The Lord prompted me to finish our prayer with Philippians 4:6,7. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
“Thank you so very much,” he said enthusiastically. “I feel 1000% better! Jesus is applying His balm of Gilead to my soul. God bless you and 3ABN! I’m so grateful there is someone available to speak with. I don’t know how you knew what to say today, but it was perfect.”
I quickly shared it certainly wasn’t me—it was Jesus working through me. I am only a mouthpiece. God knows how to solve all issues at the right time, bringing to light His promises by the power of the Holy Spirit’s leading. It was God who brought His Word to my mind. It was His powerful Word that brought healing. He is so good.
“He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Psalm 107:20.
God’s Word is alive and active, and has a powerfully soothing effect on a troubled mind. That’s why I pray by using His Scripture promises.
I encourage you to write a few promises of God on a 3X5 index card and keep them with you for just such occasions. It could be you who is in need of God’s assurance, or it could be that God will arrange a divine appointment for you to minister to another. Whatever the circumstances, God sent His Word to bring healing and deliverance from emotional destruction.
3ABN’s Pastoral department is available to receive your calls for
prayer and answer Bible questions. You’ll find their information at
https://3abn.org/pastoral.html
