Prayer and Trust in Times of Acute Stress
Prayer is a direct address to God, an "intercourse of the soul with God" that can be oral or mental, occasional or constant [7]. It is commanded in Scripture, with passages like Isaiah 55:6 and Philippians 4:6 urging believers to pray [2]. In times of acute stress, prayer becomes a vital expression of trust and reliance on God.
The Bible provides numerous examples and exhortations for prayer during affliction. James 5:13 asks, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray" [1]. Believers are encouraged to pray for God's presence and support (Psalm 10:1; 102:2), for divine comfort (Psalm 4:6; 119:76), and for deliverance from troubles (Psalm 25:17, 22; 39:10) [1]. The Psalms frequently express this sentiment, such as Psalm 31, which is described as "the prayer of a believer in time of deep distress," moving from cries for help to expressions of confidence and joyful trust [11].
Scripture also instructs believers on the manner of prayer during stress. Philippians 4:6 advises, "In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" [6]. This verse suggests that care and prayer are mutually exclusive, with thanksgiving adding efficacy to the prayer even in affliction [10]. The apostle Peter similarly exhorts believers to be "of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer" because "the end of all things is near" [3].
Prayer in times of stress is not merely a plea for relief but also an act of hope and trust. Hope is placed in God (Psalm 39:7), in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:19), and in God's promises (Acts 26:6-7) [9]. This hope is described as "lively," "sure and steadfast," and "gladdening" [9]. When facing distress, individuals are called to "tremble and do not sin. Speak within your own heart on your bed and be still" (Psalm 4:4 LITV) [4]. This stillness and inward reflection can be a form of prayer, acknowledging that there is "a time to keep silence, and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:7) [5].
The act of prayer itself is described in various ways, including "bowing the knees" (Ephesians 3:14), "looking up" (Psalm 5:3), "lifting up the soul" (Psalm 25:1), and "pouring out the heart" (Psalm 62:8) [2]. These descriptions emphasize the deep, personal nature of communication with God. Even in the midst of suffering, believers are reminded that God is with them (Psalm 46:5, 7) and acts as a refuge and strength (Psalm 27:5-6) [8]. Christ also supports and comforts the afflicted (2 Timothy 4:17; Matthew 11:28-30) [8].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
- 1 Peter “But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. -- 1 Peter 4:7”
- Psalms “Psalms 4:4 (LITV) — Tremble and do not sin. Speak within your own heart on your bed and be still. Selah.”
- Ecclesiastes “a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; -- Ecclesiastes 3:7”
- Philippians “In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. -- Philippians 4:6”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14). Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold inter”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hope — In God -- Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21. In Christ -- 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1. In God's promises -- Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2. In the mercy of God -- Ps 33:18. Is the work of the Holy Spirit -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Obtained through Grace. -- 2Th 2:16. The word. -- Ps 119:81. Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. -- Ro 15:4. The gospel. -- Col 1:5,23. Faith. -- Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5. The result of experience -- Ro 5:4. A better hope brought in by Christ -- Heb 7:19. Described as Good. -- 2Th 2:16. Lively. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure and steadfast. -- Heb 6:19. Gladdening. -- Pr 10:28. Blessed. -- Tit ”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 4:6: Translate, "Be anxious about nothing." Care and prayer are as mutually opposed as fire and water [BENGEL]. by prayer and supplication--Greek, "by the prayer and the supplication" appropriate to each case [ALFORD]. Prayer for blessings; and the general term. Supplication, to avert ills; a special term, suppliant entreaty (see on Eph 6:18). thanksgiving--for every event, prosperity and affliction alike (Th1 5:18; Jam 5:13). The Philippians might remember Paul's example at Philippi when in the innermost prison (Act 16:25). Thanksgiving gives effec”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 31 (introduction): The prayer of a believer in time of deep distress. In the first part, cries for help are mingled with expressions of confidence. Then the detail of griefs engrosses his attention, till, in the assurance of strong but submissive faith, he rises to the language of unmingled joyful trust and exhorts others to like love and confidence towards God. (Psa. 31:1-24) Expresses the general tone of feeling of the Psalm.”