05/24/2026
05.25.26 Monday Night Bible Study on Prayer
Tonight’s focus: A Stronghold in Time of Trouble
“The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand will save me.” Psalm 138:7
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not over-flow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” Isaiah 43:2
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3,4
Introduction: Alphonso’s story. Around 1980, Alphonso started a church in Haiti with grand dreams. After several years of hard work, no one would come to worship. So, he felt defeated and did not know what to do. But he noticed that many children came to see him with great needs. Alphonso began to serve them. He built a school and provided school uniforms and food. That led to starting a medical clinic and then a hospital. Finally, he was able to build a sanctuary for worship.
In 2010, a massive earthquake rocked Haiti, killing 200,000 people and leveling every one of his buildings. Fortunately, the children were at recess playing soccer. So, the children were not hurt. Alphonso was distraught at the extensive damage. He prayed to the Lord, “God, it took 34 years to build these buildings, but it only took 34 seconds to bring them all down. I’m done!”
He made plans to relocate to Florida with extended family. But one child came up to him and asked, “Pastor Alphonso, who will care for us if you leave?” He believed that was a message from God and decided to stay. He was able to raise the funds to rebuild the school and a little sanctuary. He took in children who were left orphans by the earthquake.
“Can you imagine the crisis of faith that might come if everything you had worked for was torn down in a minute?” Prayer Power, p. 82.
Or, if you lost your only child in an accident? Or, if you lost a spouse or a parent? Or you found yourself facing financial ruin?
“When we experience difficult circumstances, we may struggle to believe in God’s consistent goodness. Life can knock the breath out of us.” Ibid. p.83.
Amid Alphonso’s pain, he still listened for God to speak to him: and he obeyed! So, God brought good from tragedy. Someone said, “Your decisions are the hinges on which your destiny hangs.”
French philosopher Albert Camus wrote, “Life is the sum of all your choices.”
In your pain, God knows where you are and will move, sometimes miraculously, to bring an answer to your prayers. A promise to lean on= Philippians 4:6,7.
Someone said, “The undecided look for escape; the committed search for solutions.”
“Those who leave everything in God’s hand will eventually see God’s hand in everything.”
“The unwounded life bears no resemblance to Jesus.”
The story of Armando Valladares in his book, Against All Hope. This is a good book to read when you think that you have lost all hope. He was imprisoned and tortured for 8,000 days for refusing to put a pro-Castro sign on his desk at work.
The world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.
“Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.” Psalm 39:7
The Christian can celebrate this prayer principle: “God’s goodness will follow you all the days of your life.” Ibid. p.86.
