Prayer: The Only Way Out

"So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee." Exodus 15:22-26

Much like the Children of Israel, we often find ourselves in situations that seem beyond our ability to control. It is at that point that we often find ourselves confronting two very different choices. One option is to complain and blame others for our predicament. This does not change the situation. In fact complaining actually prolongs your struggle because it diverts your time and attention away from finding a solution. In addition, complaining is actually an expression of disbelief. You are in essence saying, I don't believe that God has the power to improve my situation. The alternative to complaint is prayer. Prayer is the perfect solution to any problem or situation. The key is to remember to pray when all those around you want to complain. Moses was confronted with this at Marah. The people murmured but Moses prayed. Notice that murmuring only led them to pointing a finger at a righteous man and by default at God. Prayer on the other hand provided a solution. Notice in the scripture, that God not only provided a solution for the issue of clean drinking water, He also provided a fool-proof solution to any problem. Seeking, listening to and heeding the Word of God will cause God to bless us. The Bible is filled with examples of this principle. For example, in 2 Chronicles 15:1-4 we find these words: "And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them." God gives us a clear choice, Him or suffering. Are you paralyzed by fear and about to complain? Turn to Jesus. "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." John 14:13-14