Sometimes we face severe tribulations. It seems that we just cannot continue on any longer. At times like this let us remember God's exhortation: "Call upon me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor me" (Ps. 50:15). Let us take all our worries and cares to God. He has given His only Son for our sins. Will He not hear the plea of His children and take note of their distress? Most surely. In the name of Jesus we may turn to God for help.

We are often troubled by the feeling that we do not know how to pray. Even the deep desire of the heart toward God is prayer and often more genuine than prayer in the form of words.

When Moses, while leading Israel, was at an impasse, with the Egyptian army behind him and the Red Sea before him, he spoke reassuringly to the people: "The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent" (Ex. 14:14). But in his heart he prayed to God for help. Moses' silent prayer reached the ears of God as a loud cry. "Why are you crying out to me?", said the Lord to Moses, "tell the sons of Israel to go forward" (Ex. 14:15).

We too, when faced with tribulations, can go forward or in other words continue our God?given mission in life, can place our trust in Him and be assured that He will help us. He will not, it is true, always help us in the way we want Him to help. But He has promised to hear our prayers in His own way at His own time. This is better for us because God is wiser than we are.

We do not always, however, have great problems to face. If this is the case, let us be thankful. Let us also remember in deeds and prayers, those who are in distress. Above all, let us pray that the grace of God will enlighten their troubled hearts and fill them with joy.