Apr 16: Insight Post by Rusty Coram

  -   April 16, 2025

The Importance of Prayer in Times of Trial: Jesus sought solitude to pray during one of the most difficult moments of His life, showing the importance of turning to God in prayer when facing trials. Prayer sustains us in times of distress and helps us align with God’s will.

Wednesday Verse

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17 (NLT)

Wednesday Questions

How can I make prayer a more consistent part of my life, especially during difficult times? What anxieties do I need to bring to God in prayer today?

Wednesday Insight Post
by Rusty Coram

Jesus’ friends and students were amazed at how He prayed. Not the words so much, but the heart and genuine connection they sensed. When they asked Him to teach them how to pray like that, He gave them a simple guide called “the Lord’s Prayer” (see Matthew 6:9-15). Within that short guide is this: “May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10). That’s easy to say, but a different matter when making decisions. In our reading this week, we see Jesus wrestle with this. “He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Matthew 26:39)

Those of us who teach know that it is much easier to tell others what is good and right than to actually live that way. Christians can be some of the worst offenders. We can have bumper stickers that celebrate God’s love and then flip off a driver who offends us. Hmmm…. Jesus gave us a front row seat to the utter agony He experienced in choosing to surrender to God’s will in a situation that He could easily have latched onto an excuse to avoid. Instead, He asked His father if there was any other way, knowing there wasn’t. His struggle with the cold and harsh reality that was coming shows us His true humanity and that He can identify with us. Jesus surrendered to God’s will, not in some stoic, robotic state, but with honest recognition of both the cost and the honor of being faithful. This Easter season, I am amazed at Jesus’ humility, courage, and love that led Him to sacrifice His life for me.

“Father please help me become more and more like Jesus.”

Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor

New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org