I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
It was the night before Steven would lose his adenoids and tonsils to a surgeon’s scalpel. Being 9 years old, he was fearful of what the next day would bring. The old “You get to have all the ice cream you can eat” line had worn itself out. Steven knew he was in for some tough days ahead.
Then the phone rang. It was our pastor, Jim Jeffery, calling Steven from an airport while on an out-of-town trip. When Steven got off the phone, he proudly announced, “Pastor Jeffery prayed with me on the phone!”
Later, after Steven had recovered from the surgery, he went to Pastor Jeffery to thank him for the phone call. He told him something he hadn’t told us: “After you prayed with me on the phone, I wasn’t scared anymore.”
Prayer is a powerful tool whether we pray alone or with others. The psalmist cried out to the Lord and was delivered from his fears (Psalm 34:4). In Steven’s case, prayer helped a young boy who feared an unknown tomorrow. In your case, it may help you understand God’s mysterious ways when you lose a job, a relationship falters, a child goes wayward, or your faith seems small.
Share your concerns with others, and talk to the Father together. Put your fears to rest
Because you prayed with me today,
My fear began to melt away;
I knew that Jesus heard our prayer,
And I was really in His care. —Hess
We tap into God’s power through prayer.
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. 10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
Insight
The key verse in Psalm 34 may be verse 3, “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” It is a call to worship as a community of faith, as well as a call to be involved with one another in the events of life. That sense of community can prevent us from feeling alone when life is hard.
