Are you hoping for a miracle? Need God to intervene? If you have not yet experienced the need, you likely will. It’s only a matter of time before life circumstances extend beyond our ability to manipulate and control. But I’m sure you know this. There is an accident that changes life forever. A loved one receives an unfavorable diagnosis. The phone rings with the police on the other end to give you unwanted news. Or you or your spouse lose a job calling into question how you will obtain basic necessities for your family. Someone you love experiences what can only be described as a freak accident or act of nature.

The reality is that you and I may have already experienced more than one of these catastrophic situations. Chances are you know all too well what it is like to cry out to God because you need Him to intervene as only He can. Honestly, my friends and family, even parts of my own crew, have experienced all of these possibilities and more. Things happen, leaving us no hope short of a divine work.

How does a person pray when we are in need of a miracle? What is the right approach when asking God to intervene Thankfully, you and I have resources at the tips of our fingers for effectively petitioning God regarding what lies beyond us. Psalm 77 is written with just such dire straits as we sometimes find ourselves called to encounter.

Using this Psalm as we pray in the midst of our deep need does not guarantee God will grant us our desired outcome, but it offers a model for how to make our requests and provides a reminder of who God is and what He can do.

A Pray for God to Intervene, Psalm 77:1-14

Let’s walk through these verses to glean what we can to prepare our hearts and minds for when we need a miracle only God can provide.

I cried out to God for help;

I cried out to God to hear me.

2When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;

at night I stretched out untiring hands,

and I would not be comforted.

3I remembered you, God, and I groaned;

I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. Psalm 77:1-3

We first learn that crying out to God is exactly the right move.

Go to the One who can do something about it.

Cry out for help.

Ask Him to hear.

And it’s totally fine to do it as one HOT MESS IN DISTRESS. The Psalmist admits not being responsive to the comfort offered. This is where good-intentioning people say all the wrong things, leaving us speechless in our predicament. All grow heavier than we can stand.

And that’s okay. God will not leave you helpless.

You kept my eyes from closing;

I was too troubled to speak. Psalm 77:4

The Faithfulness of God in Our Deep Need

Even when we cannot help ourselves, He remains.

5I thought about the former days,

the years of long ago;

6I remembered my songs in the night.

My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

7“Will the Lord reject forever?

Will he never show his favor again?

8Has his unfailing love vanished forever?

Has his promise failed for all time?

9Has God forgotten to be merciful?

Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” Psalm 77:5-9

In his needful moment, the Psalmist calls up his memory of the times and situations in which God has been faithful to see him through. He remembers the favor of the Lord, his mercy, and His unfailing love toward him. You and I can do the same. In fact, it is imperative that we take this reminder and put it to good use in moments like these because our faith depends upon it.

What I appreciate at this stage of the discourse is the rhetorical – maybe not-so-rhetorical questioning we read from this author. Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed? As to say, “Isn’t this the same God who is the omniscience, all-powerful, sovereign over the universe?” These thoughts move our hurting friend to do something on his own behalf.

Appealing for God to Intervene

10Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:

the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.

11I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

12I will consider all your works

and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:10-12

The author chooses to remember what God has done in the past, thinking back to prior graces granted and the miraculous workings of his experiences and those of others. It is in this mental framework he is able to meditate on God’s way and his Word until he is reminded of whom he is dealing:

13Your ways, God, are holy.

What god is as great as our God?

14You are the God who performs miracles;

you display your power among the peoples. Psalm 77:13-14

Readied for Asking for God to Intervene on our behalf

Only now is he ready to ask for what only God can grant. It took him a while to gather his courage and articulate his need. There were tears, sorrow, and a lack of adequate words. But he got there, just as you and I can approach God in like manner any time we need Him.

Sometimes you and I need a friend to help us ask for what we cannot. Wherever you are on your faith journey, I ask that you allow me to pray God’s Word over you. It could be there is no one else to do it. Or maybe you cannot yet do it for yourself. Standing in the gap for you is my very joy.

A Prayer When We Need God to Intervene

Lord,

I lift up my friend today. Although I don’t know the details, I can imagine the emotional deficits. In the moments when nothing short of divine intervention will do, may we know nothing else but to call upon You. You are the God who performs miracles. Help this precious soul to know this truth about you. Grant her memories of when you have sustained her and displayed your power in the past. Even if it’s not been in her life as of yet, show her through others that you are this very God. Give her the courage to cry out in her pain, her lack of understanding, and in the middle of her sorrow for what she cannot control or understand. Hear her heart. Give her peace. Usher in a supernatural healing. Use her experiences for Your Glory and her good. In all these things we ask of the only One who can bring beauty out of ashes. Amen.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

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