God Help Me

By C.A. Simonson

What do you say when you don't know how to pray? When you're alone and afraid, where do you go? When you're worried, what do you do? God Help Me has one hundred personalized meditations for you to reflect upon and ask yourself these questions. You may even gain a new lens on your relationship with God and find new hope for your day.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.A. Simonson
• Release date: Nov 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201971458

C.A. Simonson

C.A. Simonson is a content writer, author, and designer. Her writing journey began in the 1980s writing inspirational and DIY articles for national magazines. As writing evolved to the digital world, her content found its way to blogs and other online venues. Her fiction debuted in 2013 with her first inspirational drama, "Love's Journey Home," to be followed by two others in the series. "RUNAWAY" is her fourth novel. Her award-winning short stories have been published in seven anthologies. Simonson also has four nonfiction books. See more on casimonson.com

Book preview

When I Need Space

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you – not as the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

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As I walk out to my pond, crows scold me with loud caw-caws. Squirrels chatter as they jump from tree to tree, knocking down hickory nuts that scatter nearby. I listen intently as happy birds and frogs join the choir. At the right time of day, I might even hear a deer whistle.

This is my space. Nothing about it is quiet, but it is peaceful. When I’m stressed, this is my place of serenity and tranquility. I feel safe and secure. It’s where I can think, reflect, and meditate.

We all need a special place where our hearts can tune in to God. Jacob had his ‘Bethel’ (Genesis 35). A hunter worships in a wide-open field, while a fisherman prefers a quiet lake. One man’s shed became his quiet place while another made a prayer closet under his stairs. Susanna Wesley pulled her apron over her head. Her nineteen children knew Mama was having her alone-time with God. Even Jesus enjoyed the solitary places in hills and gardens and encouraged his students to do the same. Come with me to a quiet place. So they went to a solitary place, says Mark 6:31.

It’s essential to have your space to spend alone with God. As you reflect upon His goodness and grace, you find rest. When you recognize God’s control, worries dissipate. As you wait, you find direction and purpose. In your space, the Lord can restore your soul.

PRAYER: Lord, I know it’s necessary to spend time with you. Help me make an effort each day to hear You. AMEN.

~ REFLECTION ~

My favorite place to spend time with God is –

When I sit before God, I will –

God help me find space to wait on You by -

When to Listen

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ( I John 5:14)

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Many people like to turn on background noise to get through the day. Perhaps it provides company for them or helps distract from their real issues. Silence is uncomfortable, even painful at times. But to hear the voice of God, we must position ourselves to listen. That often includes silence.

Mother Teresa said, Listen in silence because if your heart is full of other things, you cannot hear the voice of God.¹ God said, If my people would only listen to me. (Psalm 81:9, 13-NIV)

Jesus knew the value of personal quiet time. He chose the early morning hours to be alone with His Father. It gave Him strength and power for the day ahead. Jesus desired to impart that to his disciples. Listen to me.... (Mark 7:14)

When life becomes hectic and hurried, we might think there’s no time for silence – no time to simply sit and listen. But choosing to have a quiet time is worth the effort. A time of silence can bring rest and peace from a deafening world.

For peace of mind, I must make time each day to read the Bible and pray. As I lend my ear toward His voice and quietly wait, I will hear Him speak.

He gives me new strength for the day and new hope for my heart—but only if I listen.

¹https://www.azquotes.com/quote/767641

PRAYER: Lord, help me be silent long enough for You to speak to me through Your Word. AMEN.

~ REFLECTION ~

I usually get too busy and hurried with –

My personal quiet time will be spent –

God help me listen by –

When I Don’t Know How to Pray

Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.

(Ephesians 6:18)

How does one pray when there seems to be no answer?

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A lady reeled in shock and denial after hearing the dreaded ‘C’ word from her doctor. Feigning bravery, she revealed to all her friends and acquaintances that she had only three to six months to live. I’m praying for you was a common sentiment. She replied, Don’t pray for me. I don’t believe in prayer.

So how does one pray?

A fifteen-year-old girl accepted a ride from four boys who offered to take her home after a football game. Instead, they took her to an abandoned farmhouse and gang-raped her. A child was conceived.

How can you pray?

Life is hard. Answers come harder. How does one pray for those on death row or facing execution in foreign countries for their faith?

We can only guess what each person needs, but God knows. Often, we don’t know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words, said Paul. (Romans 8:26 -BSB) One prayer warrior said, I pray the Lord’s prayer over them. The disciples wanted to know how to pray, and Jesus taught them the Lord’s prayer. (Matthew 6:9-13) So, I pray for God’s will to be done in their lives.

Only God knows how to reach the soul and minister to needs. All He asks of us is to pray, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

PRAYER: Lord, only You know what ___ needs today. I bring them before You, and ask that Your will be done in their life. AMEN.

~ REFLECTION ~

Someone who needs special prayer is –

I will pray for this need – [ ] daily [ ] weekly [ ] when asked

God help me when I don’t know how to pray to –

When My Day Seems Wasted

Teach me to number my DAYS and recognize how few they are; help me to spend them as I should. (Psalm 90:12.)

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What if you were given a bag of rocks on the day you were born? As a new day begins, you are presented with one plain and ordinary rock. It comes to you uncut and unpolished. It is yours to do with as you please. You can use this gift, ignore it, or throw it away.

A gemstone in the rough seems of little value. Entirely unexceptional. But chiseled and polished, they become jewels of great worth.

The events of your day and the people you see shape your jewel. Each sorrow makes a fresh cut, each pain a new facet. Rubbing shoulders with irritating people polish the jewel, either exposing flaws or the beauty inside. As you allow the Master Jeweler to form your day, it can become a priceless gem sparkling in brilliance, bringing glory to its Creator. These many-faceted jewels may enhance the victor’s crown you will receive in eternity. Other days, a sparkle of a new idea or shining new hope may shine through, and a new facet forms to shape your jewel.

...all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:16) How many jewels (days) are in your bag? Only God knows. Some say 25,550. Threescore and ten (70) years are given to man.(Psalm 90:10)

Each day given is full of marvelous worth. If I try, it doesn’t have to feel wasted. Instead, with God’s help, I will intentionally make the most of it, thankful for each jewel so graciously given.

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for making each day unique. Help me to see the value in each one and how you can polish it for your glory.

~ REFLECTION ~

When my days seem ordinary, I will learn something new by—

I will make today sparkle by –

God help me when I feel of little worth. I will trust you to –

When Faith is Formed

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16 – New Living Translation)

My mother began teaching me to play the piano at age four. When I was six, my finger was cut off when the wind caught the steel door at my father’s gas station, slamming it shut on my finger. The finger was sewed back on, but we were told there would never be feeling nor a fingernail; maybe not much mobility. Mother prayed, refusing that outcome. Her daughter would play the piano.

In her 50s, severe arthritis crippled Mom’s hands, preventing her from playing as the church pianist. She called on me to take her place. I was twelve years old.

Mom taught me how to serve my Lord by letting Him ‘play through my fingers’ with a fully-healed finger and no loss of mobility. That is when I learned the power of prayer.

How is faith formed? Little by little–experience by experience. Mother trusted God with a simple prayer of faith, and she taught me to believe too. Simple faith was called upon many times over the years. God always answered. His Word is solid and proven true. A healed finger was only the beginning of learning the strength of prayer and the power of God.

PRAYER: Lord, Thank You for building my faith and for always being faithful. No matter what happens, I know I can count on You. AMEN.

~ REFLECTION ~

The first time I believed in God was when –

I have learned to trust God more because –

I see God working in –

When I’m at My Lowest

He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul.

(Psalm 23:2-3)

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Many seek the next high with its wins and successes. Of course, everyone likes mountaintop experiences, but eventually, all must face reality.

It’s easy to fall prey to insecurity and depression when you’re at your lowest. Downsizing my job slashed my self-confidence. Although my last evaluation glowed with accolades, suddenly, I became replaceable. At my lowest, it was an easy