Where to go when times are hard.

Life can be tough sometimes.

Even when things are going well, it can throw something at you which makes it difficult - illness, bereavement, redundancy. This is especially true when you have others to care for - children, aged parents, sick relatives. At these times we just need help to get through. But when we have time to think, it may be we feel a need for something more. Jesus Himself said life was more than food and the body more than just clothing. He found encouragement in the Scriptures and was strengthened by the verse,

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Matt. 4:4) His comfort was that His heavenly Father was watching over Him. That can be our comfort too. But that means we should turn to Him in our time of difficulty. He said, "I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me." (Prov. 8:17) How do we do this? Just pray. Remember, praying is just talking to God - you can do it - Just start!

Loneliness is hard to bear.

Do you find friends difficult to make? There is a story in the Bible that describes the adventures of a young man. He had money once - and friends - although it turned out that once his money went - so did his friends. He was reduced to eating leftovers. When he was down and almost out he remembered the family he had left - his father and his brother. He decided to try and make a new start, so he began the long journey back. He thought when he met his father he would get a lecture - but it turned out that his father was overjoyed to see him and they had a great time together. His story finished well. Jesus told this story to illustrate that our Heavenly Father will receive us with open arms if only we will return to Him.

Your circumstances may be different to the young man in the story, but the lesson is for all of us. Our Heavenly Father wants us to take the first step towards Him, then He will come to our aid.

There is a prayer in the Bible that has a few lines that might help. It begins with the words ‘Our Father’. Here it is.

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. "

(Matt. 6:9–13)

There is, of course, one prayer that is very important, it might even be the most important, and I should have mentioned it first. It is a prayer that God loves to hear and answer. Again, it is a Bible prayer and it was prayed by a man who had nowhere else to turn. You will be pleased to know it was a short prayer - but it was to the point. This is what he prayed.

"God be merciful to me a sinner. " (Luke 18:13) There is one thing we know about him - he was in earnest. For that prayer to be answered - it has to be sincere. But that should not be difficult - you know you are a sinner - we all are: the Bible says, ‘all have sinned’.

If you have begun praying and would like to know more, why not find Church somewhere and sit in the congregation and listen to what goes on. You will find that the people that attend enjoy reading the Bible and believe in the power of prayer. Some of them might even have had a similar experience to that which you are going through yourself. I know at first they will be strangers to you - but then - strangers can become friends. And if you have already begged God to be merciful to you - then you already have one friend - Jesus - for He is a friend to sinners.

Perhaps I might close with a prayer for you. Again, it is a Bible prayer.

"The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." (Num.6.24-26)