When we think about prayer in ordinary and extraordinary life situations it can be described as a place where the ‘rubber hits the road.’
In the photo we see the driver looking at a place with their foot on the road. As seated on the bike, decisions will have to be made about what to do and where to go in the midst of busy traffic all around. Prayer can be like that!
We think we know what we require and where we want to go but certain experiences may take us in an opposite direction and cause confusion and doubt.
We pray for guidance, provision and a sense of God’s personal presence. More than not we experience answers to our prayers but equally as we live a life of faith without sight, we have to place our feet of faith firmly upon God’s word knowing that as in the past, God will answer our prayers in the present and for the future.
In this second insight following on from the first one, Prayer is Relational, I want us to think about three incidents in the bible where prayer was situational and tested.
Daniel
Firstly may we briefly consider Daniel (Chapter 6)who was taken from his home and exiled in a strange land called Babylon? He was appointed as a leader over many satraps but a number of them wanted to undermine his authority and favour before King Darius. A decree was made that banned prayer to any god or man except to Darrius. This was to trap Daniel as they knew he prayed quietly and out loud to his God at least three times a day.
As expected Daniel continued to pray and was accused of breaking the Kings law and eventually sentenced and thrown into a lion’s den. In the providence of God Daniel was rescued and further favour was placed upon him because of his faith and obedience while the opposing satraps were thrown into the den instead of Daniel.
Paul and Silas
In Acts 16: 25 – 34 we read how Paul and Silas reached out to a slave girl and in prayer drove out the demon spirit within her. Her masters were angry as they realised they could no longer make money from her and complained to the local magistrates who placed Paul and Silas in prison.
At midnight the men were praying and singing hymns to God, with the other prisoners listening to them in amazement. In complete surprise, an earthquake took place and shook the prison doors open and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer was terrified because of how the incident would impact on his own live. Paul reassured him and the jailer wanted to believe in the Lord Jesus which he did and all his household were saved.
Paul and Silas could quite easily have given up their faith in God, to care for them, but they eagerly sought the Lord who mightily rescued and honoured them.
Peter and John
Peter and John encountered a simple situation, as reference in Acts 3: 1 – 10, as they were on their to worship and pray at their local temple at three in the afternoon. At the entrance they saw a lame man who had been unable to walk from birth and was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful to beg, as was his daily routine. The man seeing them asked for money but instead was offered the gift of healing prayer, asking in the name of Jesus that the man would be able to walk.
The shocked man was helped to stand and then his feet and ankles became strong and he walked, jumped and praised God for his unexpected healing. The people who witnessed the miracle were filled with wonder and amazement.
Recap
Daniel was persecuted and then rescued and given more grace and favour.
Paul and Silas were imprisoned for setting a slave girl free from spiritual and physical oppression. They were later miraculously freed and the jailer and his family were unexpectedly saved.
The lame man had to accept his complaint of not being able to walk from birth. The man was begging for money to help him in his difficult living conditions. Peter and John reached out in prayer to a compassionate and healing God and was surprisingly healed and praised God for it.
In this photo think about yourself being the rider. In front of you there are certain situations that you are having to face and negotiate at this present time that will also affect the future.
Use the space below to identify them and bring them before the Lord and any prayer partners you feel confident to share with, as a Situational Prayer and in faith be surprised with the outcome.
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Prayer is Situational so be patient, faithful and expectantly surprised.
Enjoy this lovely worship song Father I place into your hands
Graham
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Insights from the Bible 
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