Desperate

“Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.”
-Psalm 142:6-

In October of 2014, my daughter went to the hospital with a kidney stone. Kidney stones are very painful and very common for a lot of people. The situation was not handled properly at the hospital and a couple days later my daughter was back at the hospital in horrible shape. Her kidney stone had become infected and the infection found its way into her blood stream. She went into sepsis and septic shock and very quickly was in a life and death situation with her blood pressure dropping dangerously low at 80/40. We almost lost her several times. She was in the hospital for almost 3 months.
I’m happy to say that she survived and now almost a year & a half later she is pretty much back to normal. We are so thankful she is ok now and for the prayers of a lot of wonderful people on her behalf. But I remember especially my prayers for my daughter. I had never prayed like that before. They were not just prayers, but passionate, anxious, emotion-filled prayers. Prayers of desperation. Prayers through tears.
I’ll never forget the feeling of desperation as I called out to God. Have you ever found yourself in that kind of moment? The time when you had no idea how you would pay the mounting medical bills. The day you came home and found the note from your runaway child. The night your husband stormed out of the house. The appointment where you learned it was cancer. The officer at your door with a bowed head and a tragic report. The silent ultrasound. The joyless marriage. Your first Christmas without that loved one.
Here’s what I hope you’ll realize: In your moments of greatest desperation, you’ll discover that you can depend on Jesus. Desperation leads to dependence. So, run to Him. Cry out to Him. You’ll find a friend who sticks closer than a brother. You’ll experience a peace that surpasses your understanding. You’ll climb into a strong refuge and a safe hiding place. You’ll get to know Him as Immanuel, God with you.” And you’ll learn that He can be depended on when you need Him the most.

Following Today
Read Psalm 88. What words of the psalmist can you identify with? Recall a desperate moment or season in your life. Where did you run for help? Write out several lines of a prayer that begin with this phrase: “Lord, I need You to help me with. . .”