We Are One Short

I heard a story of a ship that was sinking in the middle of a storm, and the captain called out to the crew and said, "Does anyone here know how to pray?"

One man stepped forward and said, "Yes sir, I know how to pray."

The captain said, "Wonderful, you pray while the rest of us put on life jackets--we're one short."

It's much easier to pray when there's no pressure, but if you live in the real world please tell me where there isn't any. As far as I can tell and see pressure surrounds us daily. So what do you do when you are one life jacket short and the pressure is on?

Focus.

Sometimes we get so focused on our problems that we forget some key principles in Scripture. In retrospect, it does sound silly but we often lose sight of the fact that prayer has a "gate" through which any believer can enter into the presence of God.

The gate to prayer is in Psalm 100:

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord, He is God: It is He that hath made us, and we are His; We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. 
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise: Give thanks unto Him, and bless His name. 
5 For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness [endureth] for ever, And His faithfulness unto all generations.

Verse 4 is a simple call to rise from our bed of tears and look -- in faith -- to the Lord Who loves us. This is not easy, or more people would get it right. But if we fill our minds, hearts and mouths with praise to God, we'll find that God's presence is right there, just ahead of us.

This works for two reasons:

• We can't easily concentrate on two things at once. Speaking praises out loud will displace some of the dark and gloom and help relieve the pressure.
• Praising God, while our problems continue to rage around us, is an act of faith. And faith is the key to everything in God's kingdom.

Faith is taking some positive action based on God's Scriptures, even when our circumstances look like the forces of evil are going to win the battle.

But you say how could a good God let me feel so much pressure?

I don't know your circumstances, but God does. All I can say is that you must step forward in faith, praising our Lord for His faithfulness and proven character. Enter into His courts with thanksgiving and praise. Give up your "right" to be angry about your circumstances. Approach the Lord as a hurting child seeking a comforting parent. And the God of peace will make His love real for you.