I remember when Carole King released the song, “You’ve Got a Friend”. It was a secular pop song but I’ve often listened to it from the perspective of Jesus being my friend. Here is the first verse and chorus:
Verse 1
When you’re down and troubled
And you need some love and care
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night
Chorus
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there
You’ve got a friend
When I’m troubled I often pray Bible verses back to God, especially Psalms 71:1, 2 Timothy 1:12, and Jeremiah 29:11. Praying God’s word is a good way of knowing that what you’re asking from God is within His will and, therefore, can be prayed “in the of Jesus” with confidence.
I’ve prayed this way for probably forty+ years. I’ve prayed this when I was on the mountaintop, I’ve prayed this when I was in the valley, when I was on the righteousness road and when I’d strayed into worldly ways. At all time and in every situation my Father has heard His word, which is Jesus the Son of God (“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” John1:14), and brought me through my trouble. God rarely saved me from my situation or condition but, rather, He took my hand and guided me through to the other side.
Anything good that you may find in my life or from my life is God. I am just clay, dirt as it were. There’s nothing to see of me but there’s much to see in me for God abides in me. Here are the verses I pray to God my Father:
Psalms 71:1
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame!
2 Timothy 1:12
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day..
Jeremiah 29:11
(NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.