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•A Prayer for When You Feel Under Pressure•By Anthony Valente👉 “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:8b,9)When life feels like a pressure cooker, it helps to remember that people in trouble populate the pages of the Bible. The apostle Paul surely knew many of the pressures we face today: illness, relational problems, financial crunches, busy schedules, and job stress. Yet he determined to place his hope in the God he trusted to deliver him. He even learned to praise God in difficult situations.However, Paul also faced out-of-the-ordinary trials that would cause anyone’s stress meter to skyrocket: riots, beatings, storms at sea, a shipwreck, and jail. (How do you feel about your life after reading this list? Mine is looking a lot better.) Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians reports that he was under pressure so far beyond his ability to endure that he wondered if he would even make it.Can you relate? Maybe you’re wondering how you’ll survive the pressure you’re feeling and get through the trial staring you in the face. Maybe you’ve come to the end of your own strength and abilities. Trials have a way of showing us we cannot rely on ourselves; they leave us with no other choice than to rely on God.How about turning your gaze to God? Paul focused his attention on the character of God, and he began his letter to the Corinthians with words of praise: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:3,4a).How about entrusting yourself to God’s faithful care today? No matter what you face, ask God to help you rely on Him for all you need.Let’s Pray.🙏 Dear Lord, only You know the pressure I face. I’ve come to the end of my strength and abilities, and I need You to take over. Forgive me, Father, for relying on myself and striving in my own power to take control of my circumstances. Forgive me for relying on others to see me through, when You are the true source of everything I need. Today I look to You alone. Lord, I thank You for bringing me to this point, so I can learn to trust and rely on You. Father, I praise You for the hope I have in Jesus. You are the God of the impossible, able to do abundantly beyond all I can ask or imagine. I praise You because You have the power to raise the dead to life. Just like You raised Jesus up from the dead, You can bring to life the hope in me that has died. I ask You to restore hope and joy to my heart. Father, I turn away from leaning on my own understanding, and I want to acknowledge You in all my ways. I choose to trust You with all my heart. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and empower me to keep walking forward on the path You have chosen for me. I thank You in advance for all You will do, Lord. I will rely on You, and I praise You for Your great love and power. You are my Redeemer, my refuge, and the strength of my life. I trust and love You Lord.In Jesus’ Name,AMEN 🙏 “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”(Matthew 6:34)“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”(Exodus 14:14)“Stand firm, and you will win life.”(Luke 21:19)"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."(Philippians 4:6)“Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.”(Psalm 119:143)"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?"(Luke 12:25-26)"So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."(Proverbs 3:4-6)"When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul."(Psalm 94:19)"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."(2 Corinthians 12:10)"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."(Psalm 55:22)"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."(1 Peter 5:6-7)"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."(Joshua 1:9)Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.(Ephesians 3:20-21)"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all."(2 Thessalonians 3:16)"I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears."(Psalm 34:4)"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."(Psalm 41:10)“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”(James 1:2-4)"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."(Psalm 23:4)The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.(Psalm 34:17)Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.(1 Peter 3:18)I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.(Ezekiel 36:26)(pic verse)Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”(Matthew 11:28-30)Artist 👨‍🎨 I Am With You Always - David Delfeld