Prayer and Trusting God's Sovereignty in Difficult Circumstances

Prayer is understood as direct address to God, an intercourse of the soul with God that can be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal ^[4]. Scripture commands believers to pray, as seen in Isaiah 55:6, Matthew 7:7, and Philippians 4:6 ^[1]. This act of communication is to be directed to God, as indicated in Psalm 5:2 and Matthew 4:10, and also to Christ (Luke 23:42, Acts 7:59) and the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 3:5) ^[1]. Access to God in prayer is understood to be through Christ (Ephesians 2:18, Hebrews 10:19) and by the Holy Spirit ^{[1, 7]}.

The Bible describes prayer in various ways, including bowing the knees (Ephesians 3:14), looking up (Psalm 5:3), lifting up the soul (Psalm 25:1), lifting up the heart (Lamentations 3:41), pouring out the heart (Psalm 62:8), pouring out the soul (1 Samuel 1:15), calling upon the name of the Lord (Genesis 12:8, Psalm 116:4, Acts 22:16), and crying to God (Psalm 27:7, 34:6) ^[1]. The Lord's Prayer, given by Jesus, serves as a model of simplicity and a succinct expression of faith, contrasting with the "vain repetition of pagan prayers" ^[9]. Jesus frequently addressed God as "Father," a practice less common in Jewish prayer at the time ^[9].

In difficult circumstances, prayer becomes a crucial expression of trust in God's sovereignty. The Scriptures exhort believers to pray when afflicted (James 5:13) ^[2]. Such prayers often include requests that God would consider their trouble (2 Kings 19:16, Nehemiah 9:32, Psalm 9:13, Lamentations 5:1), for His presence and support (Psalm 10:1, 102:2), and for divine comfort (Psalm 4:6, 119:76) ^[2]. Believers also pray for the mitigation of troubles (Psalm 39:12-13), for deliverance (Psalm 25:17, 22; 39:10; Isaiah 64:9-12; Jeremiah 17:14), and for pardon and deliverance from sin (Psalm 39:8, 51:1, 79:8) ^[2]. Furthermore, prayers in affliction seek divine teaching and direction (Job 34:32, Psalm 27:11, 143:10) and for a turning back to God (Psalm 80:7, 85:4-6, Jeremiah 31:18) ^[2].

The concept of trusting God's sovereignty in difficult times is deeply intertwined with the act of prayer. Even when facing overwhelming odds, such as the Israelites at the Red Sea, Moses demonstrated trust by not giving way to the multitude's fear and instead encouraging them with promises of deliverance ^[8]. This trust is rooted in the belief that God hears and answers prayers (Psalm 10:17, 65:2; 99:6; Isaiah 58:9) ^[1]. John Gill notes that a time of distress is a time for prayer, and God sometimes allows distress to bring people to Him ^[14].

The Bible consistently portrays God as a refuge and strength for the afflicted (Psalm 27:5-6, Isaiah 25:4, Nahum 1:7) and as one who comforts (Isaiah 49:13, Jeremiah 31:13, Matthew 5:4, 2 Corinthians 1:4-5) ^[6]. Christ is also depicted as being with the afflicted (John 14:18), supporting them (2 Timothy 4:17, Hebrews 2:18), comforting them (Isaiah 61:2, Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 7:13, John 14:1, 16:33), and delivering them (Revelation 3:10) ^[6].

Trusting God's sovereignty means recognizing His ultimate control and wisdom, even when circumstances are dire. Matthew Henry encourages believers to "repose our confidence in God" and not let it be shaken by external pressures, emphasizing that it is wise to trust in the living God who is a "help and a shield" ^[13]. This confidence is not merely passive acceptance but an active turning to God in prayer, believing that He is able to intervene and work according to His will. As Psalm 32:6 states, "For this, let everyone who is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found. Surely when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach to him" ^[3].

The efficacy of prayer is often linked to faith. Jesus taught that "all things whatsoever... ye shall ask in prayer, believing," will be granted ^[15]. This does not imply that God is a cosmic vending machine, but rather that prayer offered in faith aligns with God's will and purposes. The apostle Paul encourages believers to pray "at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18) ^[5]. This continuous, Spirit-led prayer reflects a deep reliance on God's sovereign plan.

The concept of God's sovereignty means that He is the ultimate ruler and has supreme authority over all things ^[10]. In difficult circumstances, trusting this sovereignty means believing that God is working all things for good, even when the immediate situation appears bleak. The "Lord of peace," Jesus Christ, gives peace that is "unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances" ^[12]. This peace is a result of trusting in His presence and control, even amidst trials ^[11].

Sources

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”
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”
Psalms “For this, let everyone who is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found. Surely when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach to him. -- Psalms 32:6”
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”
Ephesians “with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: -- Ephesians 6:18”
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: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 15, section 3: of their freedom; and this so far, that their incredulity prompted them to throw stones at the prophet, while he encouraged them and promised them deliverance; and they resolved that they would deliver themselves up to the Egyptians. So there was sorrow and lamentation among the women and children, who had nothing but destruction before their eyes, while they were encompassed with mountains, the sea, and their enemies, and discerned no way of flying from them. 5. But Moses, though the multitude looked fiercely at him, did not, h”
Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:9: 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer is similar in form to a common Jewish prayer (the qaddish). Jesus gave this prayer to his followers as a succinct expression of their new faith. 6:9 Pray like this: In contrast to the vain repetition of pagan prayers (6:7-8), “the Lord’s Prayer” is a model of simplicity. • Jews rarely addressed God as Father, but Jesus did so in every prayer but one (Mark 15:34). • may your name be kept holy: God’s name is profaned by the sin of his people (Isa 29:22-24; Jer 34:15-16; Ezek 39:7; Amos 2:7).”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 84.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1 1:26 3:22 9:6 9:6 9:6 14:13 Exodus 7:11 14:13 14:31 32:32 Leviticus 19:14 Deuteronomy 7:7-8 10:17 13:3 1 Kings 19:18 Job 4:18 Psalms 7:8 35:19 37:5 55:22 55:22 69:28 73:1-12 122:6 128:2 137:6 138:8 138:8 145:18 Proverbs 3:5 5:15 8:36 10:4 Ecclesiastes 9:3 Isaiah 11:4 26:9 30:15 30:21 33:22 42:1 45:23 48:11 50:5 53:1 55:11 55:13 60:2 60:2 60:2 64:8 Jeremiah 5:8 17:9 23:29 31:33 Ezekiel 11:20 Daniel 12:2 Hosea 1:10-11 Amos 9:36 Zechariah 14:8 Malachi 4:2 Matthew 5:11 5:14 5:15 ”
2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: 3:16 The final prayer echoes Jesus’ blessing in John 14:27 (cp. Num 6:26) and contrasts with the situation these believers faced in Thessalonica (2 Thes 1:4-10; 1 Thes 2:14). Paul was always conscious of the Lord Jesus’ presence with his people (Rom 15:33; Phil 4:9).”
2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: Lord of peace--Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the GOD of peace" (Rom 15:33; Rom 16:20; Co2 13:11). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter (Rom 14:17). always--unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances. by all means--Greek, "in every way." Most of the oldest manuscript”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 115:9: In these verses, I. We are earnestly exhorted, all of us, to repose our confidence in God, and not suffer our confidence in him to be shaken by the heathens' insulting over us upon the account of our present distresses. It is folly to trust in dead images, but it is wisdom to trust in the living God, for he is a help and a shield to those that do trust in them, a help to furnish them with and forward them in that which is good, and a shield to fortify them against and protect them from every thing that is evil. Therefore, 1. Let Israel trust in the Lord; the body”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 18:5: In my distress I called upon the Lord,.... The great Jehovah, the everlasting I AM, who is the most High in all the earth, and who is able to save, Heb 5:7; and cried unto my God; as Jesus did, Mat 27:46; so the members of Christ, when in distress, as they often are, through sin and Satan, through the hidings of God's face, a variety of afflictions, and the persecutions of men, betake themselves to the Lord, and call upon their God: a time of distress is a time for prayer; and sometimes the end God has in suffering them to be in distress is to bring them to the thro”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 21:22: And all things whatsoever,.... Not only miracles, but any other thing which may be for the honour of God, the interest of religion, the spreading of the Gospel, the enlargement of the kingdom, of Christ, their own spiritual good, and the welfare of immortal souls, ye shall ask in prayer, believing. Munster's Hebrew Gospel reads it, "in prayer, and in faith"; and the Arabic version renders it, "in prayer with faith"; both to the same purpose, and aptly express the sense of the words, which design the prayer of faith; or that prayer which is put up in the strength o”

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