Prayer and Praise During Life's Trials and Tribulation

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego praying in fiery furnace

The Bible States that "In the last days perilous times will come" 2 Timothy 3:1-5 tells us: 

   But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.  For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despises of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.  Having the form of godliness but denying its power.  And from such people turn away!

The end times will become perilous, which is synonymous with dangerous.

 In addition to natural disasters upsetting people’s lives, our lives will also be affected by sinful persons living around us, which includes those within our own families.  Nearly all of our lives will be effected. 

Everyone has a story and each is more heartbreaking than the next. From those swindled by the Bernie Madoff's of this world, to the story of the 15 year old girl who sold her 7 year old sister to be brutally gang raped, to the stories of atrocities committed by militant political factions to acts of violence of family member against each other to the breakup of families due to alcohol/  drug addiction, selfishness and greed. 

Jesus said that in the last days sin will abound.   Daniel describes the Tribulation beginning when the transgressors are come to the full;  people will be so sinful that they will act brutally one to another.  We are seeing this already, just read the news.   

Spiritual Warfare

For help in dealing with difficult situations one needs to understand the demonic spiritual realm that exists alongside our world.

Bible  Prophecy is all about this spiritual battle, which launches  the Antichrist and ends at the Battle of Armageddon.  Frank Hammond writes a series on the demonic realm and while you may not agree with everything he writes he provides some valuable information. 

Many times when we deal with difficult persons we might be dealing with a demon that operates through that person.   We also may have issues that we are dealing with ourselves which might be difficult to overcome because of demon oppression in our own lives.

Mark DeJesus of Turning Heart Ministries has a tremendous ministry dealing with these very issues. Not only does he offer help and understanding for persons dealing with addictions and serious issues but also offers helpful teachings to those harboring bitterness and learning to forgive those who have harmed us. 

In Mark's teachings he teaches about the broken spirit. Trauma breaks one's spirit and when this brokenness occurs it opens an individual to all kinds of demonic spirits from addictive spirits to rejection and unloving spirits which never allow the person to truly connect with God or with any person who is in their lives.   Mark offers great insight for those afflicted and also for those who are afflicted by someone with a broke spirit.  He teaches persons how to achieve freedom and victory. His teachings in conjunction with Frank Hammond's and other books on spiritual warfare are a must read for everyone dealing with these issues.  

Praise, Worship, Prayer and Faith for Victory in Difficult Times

Ephesians 5:20 The Bible tells us, Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

When Paul and  Silas were in prison with their feet bound in stocks, and having been severely beaten and whipped,  they prayed and sang hymns with the other prisoners listening to them.  At midnight a great earthquake took place that opened the doors of the prison and loosed everyone's chains and the prison keeper asked how he could be saved.  Acts 16:20-34.

There is also the story of the walls of Jericho falling down after walking  around them seven times, blowing trumpets and shouting as loud as they could with a great shout Joshua 6: 21. Praise, worship, prayer and faith are the path to victory in difficult times.