Effective Prayer in Crisis: Lessons from Jehoshaphat

 

Summary

In this session, we explored how to pray effectively during a crisis, drawing lessons from the biblical account of King Jehoshaphat. Unlike long-term challenges that require breakthrough prayers, crises are sudden, unexpected events that overwhelm our resources and abilities. Jehoshaphat's story in 2 Chronicles 20 provides a powerful model for crisis prayer, emphasizing six key steps.

First, turn to God for help. Jehoshaphat, faced with a formidable enemy, sought God's guidance before considering any human solutions. He called for a national fast, demonstrating the importance of seeking divine wisdom and support in times of crisis. Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.

Second, admit your inadequacy. Jehoshaphat acknowledged his powerlessness against the vast army, highlighting the necessity of recognizing our limitations and relying on God's strength. Miracles often begin when we confess our inability to handle situations on our own.

Third, rely on God's resources, not your own. Jehoshaphat shifted his focus from the problem to the problem-solver, placing his faith in God's power. This shift in perspective is crucial; instead of fixating on the crisis, immerse yourself in God's Word and promises.

Fourth, relax in faith. Despite being outnumbered, Jehoshaphat received God's assurance that the battle was His to fight. Sometimes, it takes more courage to stand still and trust God than to act impulsively. By relinquishing control, we allow God to work in ways we cannot imagine.

Fifth, thank God in advance. Jehoshaphat's choir led the army with songs of praise, demonstrating faith by thanking God before the victory was visible. This act of worship and gratitude is a profound expression of trust in God's promises.

Finally, expect God to turn your battles into blessings. After the victory, Jehoshaphat and his people gathered abundant spoils, transforming their crisis into a blessing. When we let God fight our battles, it becomes a testimony to others, showcasing His power and faithfulness.

Key Takeaways:

- Turn to God First: In a crisis, seek God before anyone else. Jehoshaphat's immediate response was to pray and fast, showing that our first action should be to seek divine guidance and support. Prayer is not a last resort but a first response. [05:03]

- Admit Your Inadequacy: Recognize your limitations and confess your need for God's help. Jehoshaphat admitted his powerlessness, which opened the door for God's intervention. Acknowledging our inadequacy is the first step toward experiencing God's power. [12:21]

- Rely on God's Resources: Shift your focus from the problem to God, the problem-solver. Jehoshaphat placed his faith in God's power, reminding us to immerse ourselves in Scripture and rely on divine resources rather than our own. [13:09]

- Relax in Faith: Trust God to fight your battles. Jehoshaphat was told not to fear, as the battle belonged to God. Sometimes, standing still and trusting God requires more faith than taking action. [15:13]

- Thank God in Advance: Express faith by thanking God before the victory is visible. Jehoshaphat's choir led with praise, demonstrating trust in God's promises. Gratitude before the outcome is a powerful act of faith. [19:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:29] - Understanding Crisis Prayer
- [02:12] - Defining a Crisis
- [02:41] - Jehoshaphat's Crisis
- [03:44] - The Enemy's Approach
- [04:47] - Lessons from Jehoshaphat
- [05:03] - Turning to God for Help
- [06:42] - Enlisting Others in Prayer
- [07:28] - Remembering God's Greatness
- [09:01] - Recalling God's Past Deeds
- [10:00] - Trusting God's Promises
- [11:37] - Appealing to God's Character
- [12:21] - Admitting Inadequacy
- [13:09] - Relying on God's Resources
- [14:57] - Relaxing in Faith
- [19:39] - Thanking God in Advance
- [23:12] - Expecting Blessings from Battles
- [25:26] - Surrendering to God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Observation Questions:
1. What was Jehoshaphat's initial reaction to the news of the approaching enemy army, and what did he do first in response? [05:03]
2. How did Jehoshaphat involve the people of Judah in his response to the crisis? [06:42]
3. What specific actions did Jehoshaphat take to demonstrate his reliance on God rather than his own resources? [13:09]
4. What role did the choir play in the battle strategy, and what was the outcome of their actions? [19:39]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is it significant that Jehoshaphat turned to God first before seeking human solutions? How does this reflect on his faith and leadership? [05:03]
2. In what ways does admitting inadequacy open the door for God's intervention, as seen in Jehoshaphat's prayer? [12:21]
3. How does the act of thanking God in advance demonstrate faith, and what impact did it have on the outcome of the battle? [19:39]
4. What does the transformation of the crisis into a blessing teach us about God's power and faithfulness? [23:12]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent crisis in your life. Did you turn to God first, or did you seek other solutions? How might your approach change in future crises? [05:03]
2. Are there areas in your life where you feel inadequate or powerless? How can you invite God into those situations and rely on His strength? [12:21]
3. Consider a current challenge you are facing. How can you shift your focus from the problem to God, the problem-solver, this week? [13:09]
4. What are some practical ways you can relax in faith and trust God to fight your battles, even when it feels counterintuitive to do nothing? [15:13]
5. Identify a situation where you can thank God in advance for the outcome. How does this change your perspective on the situation? [19:39]
6. Think of a past crisis that God turned into a blessing. How can remembering this encourage you in your current struggles? [23:12]
7. How can you involve others in prayer during your crises, and what steps can you take to build a supportive prayer community? [06:42]

Devotional

Day 1: Seek God as Your First Response
When faced with a crisis, the natural human tendency is to rely on our own understanding and resources. However, the story of Jehoshaphat teaches us the importance of turning to God first. Jehoshaphat, confronted with a powerful enemy, immediately sought God's guidance and called for a national fast. This act of prioritizing divine wisdom over human solutions underscores the significance of prayer as our initial response, not a last resort. By seeking God first, we open ourselves to His guidance and strength, which surpasses our own abilities. [05:03]

2 Chronicles 20:3-4 (ESV): "Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord."

Reflection: In what current situation can you choose to seek God first, rather than relying on your own understanding or resources?


Day 2: Acknowledge Your Limitations
Admitting our inadequacy is a humbling yet powerful step in crisis prayer. Jehoshaphat openly confessed his powerlessness against the vast army, recognizing that human strength alone was insufficient. This acknowledgment of our limitations is crucial because it invites God's intervention. When we confess our inability to handle situations on our own, we create space for God's power to manifest. It is in our weakness that His strength is made perfect, and miracles often begin with this confession. [12:21]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel inadequate? How can you invite God into that space today?


Day 3: Shift Focus to God's Resources
In times of crisis, it is easy to become consumed by the problem at hand. Jehoshaphat, however, shifted his focus from the overwhelming enemy to the omnipotent God. By placing his faith in God's power, he demonstrated the importance of relying on divine resources rather than our own. Immersing ourselves in Scripture and God's promises helps us to see beyond the immediate crisis and trust in His provision. This shift in perspective is essential for effective crisis prayer. [13:09]

Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV): "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

Reflection: How can you intentionally shift your focus from your current problems to God's promises today?


Day 4: Trust God by Standing Still
Relaxing in faith requires courage, especially when faced with overwhelming odds. Jehoshaphat was assured by God that the battle was not his to fight, but God's. This assurance allowed him to stand still and trust in God's deliverance. Sometimes, the most faithful action we can take is to relinquish control and allow God to work in ways we cannot imagine. Trusting God to fight our battles is a profound act of faith that requires us to be still and know that He is God. [15:13]

Exodus 14:13-14 (ESV): "And Moses said to the people, 'Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.'"

Reflection: What is one situation where you need to stop striving and trust God to fight for you?


Day 5: Express Gratitude Before the Victory
Thanking God in advance is a powerful expression of faith. Jehoshaphat's choir led the army with songs of praise, demonstrating trust in God's promises before the victory was visible. This act of worship and gratitude is a testament to their belief in God's faithfulness. By expressing gratitude before the outcome, we align our hearts with God's will and acknowledge His sovereignty. It is a declaration of trust that God will turn our battles into blessings. [19:39]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV): "Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can thank God in advance for His provision and victory?

Quotes


Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and he begged the Lord for guidance. He's asking God what to do. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. We've talked about how fasting is a key to showing God you're serious. Here's an important lesson: when you go to a crisis like this, never let a problem intimidate you. It motivates you to pray more, trust more, study more. [00:05:22]

Prayer must always be your first choice, not your last resort. Seek God for wisdom before you do anything else. When you're in a crisis, the first thing you do is just seek God. You pray. Now notice that Jehoshaphat doesn't try to handle the situation alone, and he didn't keep the news to himself. [00:06:02]

Miracles never happen until you admit that the situation is impossible without God's help. You know, as Jesus said, with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. So your inadequacy is no surprise to God. Now here's the third thing to do when you pray in a crisis: rely on God's resources, not your own. [00:12:44]

After he's admitted his inadequacy, Jehoshaphat now places his faith in God's power, God's sufficiency. And here's what he prays: look at this verse. He prayed, "Lord, we don't know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." What's he doing? He's shifting his focus from the problem to the problem solver. [00:13:09]

Sometimes when you're in a crisis, it takes more courage to do nothing than it takes to do something. To just stand there when it looks like the enemy is coming to attack you. They're getting ready to take you on. You're going down in awe every sense of the word. And fear says, "Don't just stand there, do something." [00:15:57]

When you put your life in God's hands, your battles may be fearful, they appear fearful, but your battles become God's battles, and your enemies become his enemies. And God says to you, "Okay, just like I said to Jehoshaphat, relax. I got this one. I got it covered. I just need you to stand still and watch me handle it." [00:17:10]

Thanking God in advance for the victory. You mean before I get the victory? Yep. You see it, let us sing victory songs before you see the victory. Now God's battle plan for Jehoshaphat was unlike any other military strategy plan in history. Here's what God tells Jehoshaphat: he says, "When you go out into battle, I want you to put the choir in front of the army." [00:19:39]

What are they doing? They're worshiping God in advance. They're thanking God in advance. They're worshiping God for His faithfulness. They're praising him for his power. They're thanking him for what he was going to do, even though they didn't know how he's gonna do it. Imagine this scene: the choir is out in front of the army. [00:20:30]

The highest form of faith is thanking God before you get the answer. Now look at the results of their faith-filled worship. At the moment they began to sing and to praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir to begin fighting among themselves, and they destroyed each other. [00:21:50]

Expect God to turn your battles into blessings. You know, when the dust settled, the Israelites were left with more blessing than they could possibly handle. The spoils of war on the battlefield were enormous. In fact, the Bible says this: not a single one of the enemy escaped. [00:23:12]

When you let God fight your battles, and how do you fight that? God fights your battles through prayer. When you do that, it is a witness to everyone around you, even your enemies. Your greatest witness is when you let God take you through crises because everybody goes through crises. [00:24:14]

Our Heavenly Father loves to demonstrate his power in our lives when we come to him in faith, when we lay our problems at his feet, when we commit the crisis to him, and we let him work all the things together for our good. If you're facing overwhelming odds right now, you feel like you're under attack, you've been feeling like giving up, then I want to say this to you. [00:25:26]

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Transcript
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