I feel so many heavy needs lately.
I am part of a handful of groups including brain aneurysm groups and a TBI (traumatic brain injury) group. There is such pain and frustration there. I’m also part of a local prayer group and a friend prayer group. Life happens, and it hurts my heart to hear what these women are going through and need prayer for. I hear prayer requests from family, friends, as well as strangers. There are unbelievable tragedies and heartbreak, extreme suffering and frightening unknowns.
I think of all those needs, and that isn’t even including my own prayer needs. It’s all so much — just too much at times. I find myself wondering, How can God handle it all? Does He have a limit? Does He need to take a break sometimes? Can I just keep adding request after request?
Then I remind myself that is just my human thinking. Boy, am I grateful for that! God has no limits. It is impossible for us to comprehend, and we don’t need to understand how He does it. We just need to trust that He does. He is all-knowing and all-loving.
Nothing is ever too much for Him. But there are also times when I feel like I shouldn’t waste His time with prayers that seem so small compared to what I know someone else needs. Do you ever feel this way?
Again, that is my human thinking, and again, I’m so grateful for that truth! If it matter to us, it matters to Him. He cares about the little just as much as the big. God is faithful and loving. We can call on Him anytime, and He wants us to bring it all to Him — all occasions, all kinds of prayers, and all requests!
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on prayer for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
He actually invites us to call to Him, and He promises to teach us things we don’t know — how amazing is that! The invitation doesn’t come with stipulations and restrictions. He doesn’t say to call Him only if you can’t handle it yourself or to call only if it’s a life-or-death situation. God simply says to call Him, so trust Him with that and come to Him with anything.
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)
No prayer is too small. No prayer is too big. Remember there is such power in prayer, even in the simplest of prayers. Prayer makes life-changing differences. We don’t need to know how; we just need to come to Him with our full, open heart, and He will hear.
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Psalm 17:6 (NIV)
You are God’s child. Give Him those heavy needs and prayers, all of them. And then, this is important: leave them with Him. He’s got it! That’s right, don’t go picking them back up and carrying them around with you. He’s got it!
Jennifer,
It’s almost as if God just says, “Bring it on!” I am so thankful that He is not limited by being human, like me. He not only invites, but He commands that we bring our pleas to Him. I love the scripture, you quoted, that begins, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Bring on the prayers on ALL occasions with ALL kinds of prayers and requests (even those that seem insignificant). He also says for us to pray “in the Spirit.” He gives us the Holy Spirit as a comforter who will pray and intercede on our behalf. When we pray it automatically has a “times 2” effect. God did not want all this pain for us, but since the fall of man, He has been drawing near to comfort and answer prayers…sometimes not with the answer we ask for, but He always answers with Himself and unfathomable love. Loved this, Jennifer!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thank you, Beth! Isn’t that a wonderful scripture? I love that He says all occasions, all kinds! He has our back and I am so thankful for that! xo
So grateful for God’s carrying love!
I am right there with you, Michele! So grateful!
The catch is not only to pray at all times but not to pick up what I just laid down at his feet. I am notorious for picking the burden back up somehow thinking I can fix it in my own strength. That never seems to work out well for me.
Your words always leave me thinking and knowing that God is for me no matter what. Have a wonderful week.
Oh Mary, I am guilty of that very same thing! We just have to keep working at it. He knows we are trying! I hope you have a wonderful week as well! xo
I definitely needed this reminder today. Many people close to me have some very “big” needs right now, and as you described, I have started to feel like my own struggles and concerns aren’t big enough to warrant much attention in comparison. Thank you for reminding me of the truth that “if it matters to us, it matters to God.” A pastor I once sat under pointed out in a message on Philippians 4 that the question really isn’t whether anything is too small to pray about. The real question is whether any of it is *not* small to God.
I know just how you feel! And I am so happy you took this reminder to know that your needs are just as important to Him as anyone else’s needs. You matter so much to Him, Rachel!
Jennifer,
Been praying for you for some time now. Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Again Nothing is to difficult or simple for God to handle. He wants to have conversations with us. I find breath prayers work for me. I simply breath in & say Jesus then breath out & say help her/him. I am praying off & on all day long. Asking God to be with others & guide their steps & give wisdom. So thankful for a God who is willing to handle ALL problems big & small. Even when we don’t know what to pray the Holy Spirit will pray for us. Big test in school, medical issue, job or financial difficulty-bring them all to God. He is ready willing & able to answer you in His perfect timing.
Blessings 🙂
i love your response! it’s perfect! especially the part about his perfect timing. not mine, but His. He knows better than me and can see what i can’t. thank you for saying what i needed to hear!
Oh I love that breath prayer idea, Beth! You are such a prayer warrior. Thank you for your prayers. They really do mean so much to me!
What a mighty God we serve faithful in every way. God wants his Children to cry on to him with our prayers. His shoulders are big enough to take our problems. Just like the kids song. Our God is a Great big God. So he is a Great big God. I myself might not be best of a follower of him. Days I get it wrong days I do and say things I should not. Days I forget to pray to God and read my Bible. But God still loves me. Forgives me for thoes wrongs. When I say sorry to God for the things I said and done that I should not have said. Please forgive me for not reading your word and saying my prayers. God says I love you and I forgive you. What more could I ask for from such a wonderful caring God. Where would we be without God in our lives. We can hand it all over to God big or small. Like the kids song Our God is a great Big God. Who can Handle All Our Problems. We have alot to thank God for. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xxx excellent reading
You said it perfectly, Dawn! He forgives and loves us through it all! Amen to that!
Such a timely reminder, as I feel like I’m juggling more than I can handle. God knows. He hears my prayers — and I can lean into His grace and provision.
Saying a prayer for you now, Beth. He knows. He will see you through.
thank you! i needed to read this. especially this part: You are God’s child. Give Him those heavy needs and prayers, all of them. And then, this is important: leave them with Him. He’s got it! That’s right, don’t go picking them back up and carrying them around with you. He’s got it!
leaving the needs, prayers, and burdens with him is what i am currently struggling with. i have a nasty habit of picking them back up and worrying about them all over again. Lord help me let go in those areas where i struggle to let you do your job. amen!
I hear you, Karyn! I struggle with that as well. But He knows we are trying and He loves us for it! We need to let Him do His job… amen to that!
I think our enemy wants us to believe God can’t handle all of our cares, it is like the enemy to always try to deceive us, it is part of the ongoing battle which makes it more important that we keep praying!
Yes, Kathy! So we keep trying and we keep praying!
You’ve brought to mind a children’s song from years ago: “Our God is so big–so strong and so mighty–there’s nothing our God cannot do!” Sometimes I find myself singing the simple tune with its simple (vs. complicated) message. Even grown-ups need reminding, especially when the burdens accumulate. Thank you, Jennifer!
Such a sweet message to think of and use as a reminder, Nancy!
I often feel the weight of so many others’ burdens too. So much heartache and adversity and trials upon trials. Thank you for this reminder that nothing is too big (or too small) to be held in God’s mighty and loving hands. Praying you feel held by him today, Jennifer. xx