Finding Comfort and Strength in Jesus Through Prayer
Summary
In life, we all face difficult days, weeks, or even years. I shared a personal story about one of the hardest days of my life when I had to make a tough decision regarding my father's medical care. Despite the pain, I found comfort in knowing that God was with me. Many of us have experienced similar struggles, and it's during these times that we must remember the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." This hymn reminds us of the privilege we have to carry everything to God in prayer.
Jesus is not just a distant figure; He is our friend, closer than a brother, always present in our lives. In John 15, Jesus calls us friends, emphasizing His closeness and availability. The book of Hebrews, which we explored today, presents Jesus as our great high priest who has passed through the heavens. Unlike earthly high priests, Jesus is approachable and sympathizes with our weaknesses because He became one of us. He understands our struggles and temptations, yet He was without sin.
Hebrews 4:14-16 encourages us to hold fast to our confession and approach the throne of grace with confidence. Jesus, our high priest, offers us mercy and grace in our time of need. We don't need an intermediary to approach God; we can come directly to Him. The grace of the Lord helps us hold it together when life feels like it's falling apart.
In times of emotional distress, temptation, or spiritual dryness, we can turn to Jesus. He offers guidance, peace, and rest. Even when we feel overwhelmed by responsibilities or burdened by the needs of others, Jesus invites us to bring everything to Him in prayer. The hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," written by Joseph Scriven, beautifully captures this truth. Despite personal tragedies, Scriven found solace in Jesus and shared this comfort through his hymn.
As we navigate life's challenges, let's remember to cast our cares on Jesus, who bears all our sins and griefs. He is our refuge, offering solace and peace. In prayer, we find strength and grace to keep it together, trusting in the presence of our faithful friend, Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Presence in Our Darkest Days: Even in our most challenging moments, God is with us, offering comfort and strength. We can turn to Him, knowing that He understands our pain and is always present. This assurance allows us to face life's difficulties with hope and faith. [00:43]
2. Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest: Jesus, as our high priest, sympathizes with our weaknesses because He became one of us. He understands our struggles and temptations, yet He was without sin. This makes Him uniquely qualified to offer us mercy and grace in our time of need. [07:42]
3. Approaching the Throne of Grace: We are invited to approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that Jesus offers us mercy and grace. We don't need an intermediary; we can come directly to God, finding help and strength to hold it together when life feels overwhelming. [13:26]
4. Finding Solace in Prayer: In times of emotional distress, temptation, or spiritual dryness, we can find solace in prayer. Jesus invites us to bring everything to Him, offering guidance, peace, and rest. By casting our cares on Him, we experience His presence and support. [19:01]
5. The Privilege of Carrying Everything to God: The hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" reminds us of the privilege we have to carry everything to God in prayer. Despite life's burdens, we can find solace and peace in Jesus, who bears all our sins and griefs. [27:22]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:43] - A Personal Story of Struggle
[03:16] - The Hymn: What a Friend We Have in Jesus
[05:26] - Jesus, Our Great High Priest
[07:42] - Sympathy and Understanding
[10:27] - Entering Our Suffering
[13:26] - Approaching the Throne of Grace
[14:25] - Finding Help in Time of Need
[15:21] - Facing Temptation and Sin
[16:22] - Emotional Distress and Overwhelm
[17:30] - Intercessory Prayer
[19:01] - Spiritual Dryness and Growth
[20:41] - Hardships and Trials
[21:38] - Turning to Jesus in Suffering
[22:43] - The Story Behind the Hymn
[27:22] - Casting Our Cares on Jesus
[28:56] - Prayer and Finding Strength
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 4:14-16
- John 15:15
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 4:14-16 tell us about Jesus' role as our high priest? How is He different from earthly high priests? [05:26]
2. According to the sermon, how does Jesus' ability to sympathize with our weaknesses impact our relationship with Him? [07:42]
3. In John 15:15, Jesus calls His disciples friends. What significance does this have in the context of the sermon? [03:16]
4. How does the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" relate to the themes discussed in the sermon? [22:43]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of Jesus as our high priest who has passed through the heavens enhance our understanding of His role in our lives? [05:26]
2. What does it mean to approach the throne of grace with confidence, and how does this reflect our relationship with God? [13:26]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the idea that Jesus is not just a distant figure but a friend who is always present in our lives? [03:16]
4. In what ways does the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" capture the essence of finding solace in prayer during difficult times? [22:43]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult decision or situation. How did you experience God's presence during that time? [00:43]
2. How can you cultivate a deeper friendship with Jesus, knowing that He sympathizes with your weaknesses and understands your struggles? [07:42]
3. What steps can you take to approach the throne of grace with confidence in your daily life, especially when feeling overwhelmed? [13:26]
4. How can you incorporate the practice of casting your cares on Jesus into your daily routine, especially during times of emotional distress or spiritual dryness? [19:01]
5. Consider the burdens you are currently carrying. How can you intentionally bring these to God in prayer, as encouraged by the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"? [27:22]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to rely more on Jesus' guidance and peace. What practical steps can you take to seek His help? [15:21]
7. How can you support others in your community who are going through difficult times, and how can you encourage them to find solace in Jesus? [17:30]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Presence in Our Darkest Days
In the midst of life's most challenging moments, it is easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed. However, the assurance of God's presence offers a profound source of comfort and strength. This presence is not just a distant or abstract concept but a tangible reality that accompanies us through every trial. When faced with difficult decisions or painful experiences, like the story of making a tough decision regarding a loved one's medical care, we can find solace in knowing that God is with us. This assurance allows us to face life's difficulties with hope and faith, trusting that we are never alone. [00:43]
Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV): "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'"
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did you experience God's presence during that time, and how can you remind yourself of His presence in future trials?
Day 2: Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest
Jesus, as our high priest, offers a unique and profound understanding of our human experience. Unlike earthly high priests, He is approachable and sympathizes with our weaknesses because He became one of us. This means that He understands our struggles and temptations, yet He was without sin. His empathy and understanding make Him uniquely qualified to offer us mercy and grace in our time of need. This relationship with Jesus is not just about reverence but also about friendship, as He calls us friends in John 15. [07:42]
Hebrews 2:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
Reflection: Reflect on a temptation or struggle you are currently facing. How does knowing that Jesus understands and sympathizes with your weaknesses change your approach to this situation?
Day 3: Approaching the Throne of Grace
The invitation to approach the throne of grace with confidence is a powerful reminder of the direct access we have to God through Jesus. We do not need an intermediary to find help and strength when life feels overwhelming. This access is not just a privilege but a source of empowerment, allowing us to hold it together when everything seems to be falling apart. Jesus, our high priest, offers us mercy and grace, providing the support we need in our time of need. [13:26]
Ephesians 3:12 (ESV): "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him."
Reflection: Consider a situation where you feel overwhelmed. How can you approach God's throne of grace with confidence today, and what specific help do you need to ask for?
Day 4: Finding Solace in Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool for finding solace in times of emotional distress, temptation, or spiritual dryness. Jesus invites us to bring everything to Him, offering guidance, peace, and rest. By casting our cares on Him, we experience His presence and support, which can transform our burdens into opportunities for growth and spiritual renewal. The hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" beautifully captures this truth, reminding us of the privilege we have to carry everything to God in prayer. [19:01]
Psalm 55:22 (ESV): "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."
Reflection: Identify a specific burden you are carrying today. How can you intentionally bring this to Jesus in prayer, and what steps can you take to trust Him with it?
Day 5: The Privilege of Carrying Everything to God
The hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" serves as a reminder of the privilege we have to carry everything to God in prayer. Despite life's burdens, we can find solace and peace in Jesus, who bears all our sins and griefs. This privilege is not just about seeking help but also about deepening our relationship with God, trusting Him with every aspect of our lives. As we navigate life's challenges, let's remember to cast our cares on Jesus, who offers us refuge and strength. [27:22]
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV): "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you have been hesitant to seek God's help. What would it look like to fully trust Him with this area today, and how can you begin to do so?
Quotes
1) "I knew that God was with me and it was comforting to me to recognize that even in the midst of my darkest day that I could turn to the Lord. You've had days like that I'm sure many of you I'm sure have had to make those kinds of decisions for loved ones some of you might be going through difficult times right now you you might be struggling you might be struggling you might be struggling you might be struggling sitting in a pew in front or behind someone who has come to church today and put on the happy smile the happy face but on the inside uh they're hurting." [01:56] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "What kind of friend is Jesus? You know, Jesus himself in John chapter 15, he said to his disciples, I no longer call you servants, but I call you friends. He is our friend. He is closer than a brother. He is in our presence at all times. And we can turn to him in times of need, in times of sadness, in times of loss, but also in times of joy, in times of celebration. He is always with us." [03:16] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Jesus didn't have to make any atonement for his sins because he is the perfect. lamb of god who offered himself as a sacrifice once for all sufficient for all time he doesn't have to go back and offer himself as a sacrifice again and again and again he did it one time once for all once for your sins once for my sins once for the sins of the world and as we turn to him in faith then that sacrifice that he has made that one -time sacrifice is applied to our sins and we're set free." [06:47] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Jesus comes to us and he's able to sympathize with us because he became one of us. The word sympathy, by the way, in the Greek is the word sympathy. It's actually spelled the same way. It's sympathos. That's got that word pathos in it that we know. Pathos has to do with feeling. It means same feeling, but it's not just any kind of feelings. Pathos generally has the ramification of suffering, of pain, of hurt. So Jesus has the same feeling. He's able to feel with us." [08:10] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Let me read that again let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need some translations say boldly with confidence we approach the throne boldly we approach the throne." [11:20] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "You know that word help in the original language has this connotation of holding something together like with ropes or cables, like something that's trying to fall apart, you know, holding it together. Have you ever said to the Lord, Lord, help me keep it together? Help me hold it together, Lord. I need you. I need you right now. That's what it's talking about. The grace of the Lord can help us keep it together, help us find hope, help us find healing, mercy, and grace in our time of need." [14:25] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "The presence of the Lord doesn't depend on your feelings. I'm not minimizing the feelings that we have during those spiritual drought times. I'm just saying that the feelings aren't accurate, because there's nowhere you can go, there's nothing that you can do which is going to cause the Lord not to be with you. He is with you always, in every circumstance. The Bible promises that he will never, never leave you. He will never forsake you." [19:48] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Why is God allowing this to happen to me? The question we would be better to ask is, why not me? Why should I? be immune from the suffering that's in the world. And I'm not. And you're not. None of us are. We're all part of fallen humanity. We're all living in this world that's corrupted by brokenness and sin. Where sin and death is wreaking havoc." [21:38] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "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. Are you carrying burdens? Are you carrying pain? Are you carrying hardship and suffering that you don't need to? Cast all your cares on him." [27:22] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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