The Prayers of Man: Commandments Keepers

The Prayers of Man

Do you sometimes wonder if our Heavenly Father even hears our cries for help? Jesus cried this same question while nailed to the cross, while bearing the sins of many. His words are for us, as an example, for when we are suffering.

(Matthew 27:46) "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

Our Lord Jesus was quoting His own words which were written by King David in the Holy Scriptures.

(Psalms 22:1) "To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?"

Sometimes we feel that we have been abandoned by all, to suffer alone. Have you ever wondered what our Lord Jesus was thinking while hanging from that bloody cross? We are to read these Holy Scriptures and learn from them.

(Psalms 22:1-23) To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.

(1) "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
(2) O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
(3) But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
(4) Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
(5) They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
(6) But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
(7) All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
(8) He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
(9) But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.
(10) I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.
(11) Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
(12) Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
(13) They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
(14) I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
(15) My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
(16) For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
(17) I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
(18) They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
(19) But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
(20) Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
(21) Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
(22) I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
(23) Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel."

What was Jesus answer to His question, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

(Psalms 22:24) "For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard." And His Father delivered Him, not at that moment but three days later. (Acts 10:40) "Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;"

Almighty God takes no pleasure in the sufferings of any. (Ezekiel 33:11) "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"

If we repent and turn from our sinful ways, Our Heavenly Father will hear our prayers and will ALWAYS deliver us from our afflictions. He is all knowing and loving and knows exactly when to intervene, to turn our afflictions into good.

(Psalms 34:15-19) "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."

Those that are the Lord Jesus will have many afflictions in this world. (Psalms 34:19) "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all." But we are not to be bitter or angry because of it. We are to patiently endure ALL afflictions, as Jesus did.

(Psalms 37:7) "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."

(Psalms 119:165) "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."

(2 Corinthians 4:17) "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"

Our Lord Jesus knows and feels our pains and sufferings. (Hebrews 4:15-16) "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

We are not alone. (John 16:33) "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Like Jesus, we suffer for righteousness sake. And our reward: (Romans 8:17) "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

May our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, our Lord, strengthen us all, that we may stand resolute for the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Amen