Prayers During A Recession

Events occur in life that demonstrate to us that we are not really in total control of our circumstances or destiny. Still, we are continually made to believe that we are through a plethora of new age media detailing the law of attraction and if you just "visualize" and "feel" it will all work out. To a certain degree this may be true, but what about the current global financial crises? Is this a result of too much "visualization" and greed? We are now feeling the disastrous effects of this recession. A lot of people are losing everything.

It is through tough times like these that we seek comfort, somewhat through our family and friends but mostly through God. If anyone is able to grant a miracle it is He. (I'm not just talking about financial tough times either - just watch the news on a random night and you'll see enough crimes or tragedies to keep you awake and night.)

When it comes to personal struggles, I find that the best way to help offload my problems, burdens and bottled up negative emotions is to offer it to God and ask for His assistance. Reading certain passages in the Bible can constitute a really good prayer and impart some wisdom at the same time, letting you see the issue from a different angle.

"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?...

Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?...

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." - Matthew 6: 25-34

"Lord, make us prosperous again, just as the rain brings water back to dry riverbeds. Let those who wept as they planted their crops, gather the harvest with joy!

Those who wept as they went out carrying the seed will come back singing for joy, as they bring in the harvest." - Psalm 126

"This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." - Psalm 34

^{Dear Lord, help me to be kinder in the future to people asking for my help, because some day I might need their assistance. Help me to see the bigger picture and think of those who have just retired and were looking forward to living off of their superannuation. Those people will now have to return to work while & if they still can. Be with our government leaders as they try to find a solution to the global crises. Help me to forgive my boss who was the messenger that had to deliver the bad news to me that I no longer have a job. When I get angry about the prospect of losing my home because I can't afford the mortgage payments, let me remember those that are homeless and have been for some time - those people I walk by every day and ignore...}

In the movie "Evan Almighty", God who appears as a waiter called "Al Mighty", teaches Evan's wife to look at her situation in another way. Evan is building an ark because "God told him to" and she doesn't know what to make of it. God says:

"Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?"

Something to think about.