Topic: Avoiding Problems

Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Key Verse: The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13(NLT)

Problems arise on Earth because of the consequences of humanity’s decision to go its way rather than God’s. It is not pleasing to God to see or suffer or languish in pain, shame, guilt or loneliness. There are provisions that God has made to help us avoid problems, and when unavoidable, He makes a way out. Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past gives comfort and hope in the midst of temptations.

Prayer is a provision that allows us to be in communication with God about the issues we face and an opportunity to receive the strength to overcome them.

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.  Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.  Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:13-16(NLT)

Sometimes, praying alone about our hardships is enough, but at other times, we need to confess our faults to others so we can pray in agreement with them over the same problems. Praying together strengthens our faith and encourages the person in need. The elders of the church also have a level of authority in prayer that addresses even our health needs. Seeking their partnership in prayer can bring solutions quickly.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18(NLT)

Persistent prayer and spiritual alertness help us overcome temptations that can lead to problems. Sometimes, when we are vulnerable, we are more prone to fall prey to the enemy’s deceit, which seeks our loss, death, and destruction. We prevail over the wiles through prayer. Matthew 26:41, John 16:24

There are times we may not know how or what to pray about, but the Holy Spirit leads us to know just what to pray for or do about the challenge. This guidance keeps us aligned with the will of God and biblical solutions.

 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. John 16:13(NLT)

APPLICATION

• Provide biblical examples of how prayer helped individuals in times of trouble.
• What makes prayer ineffective?
• Read these passages to learn how the Holy Spirit helps us cope with problems. Luke 12:12, John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 2:13
• What does the psalmist teach in this text about God’s leading? Psalm 119:105-106