A few summers ago, Jesse and I were invited to go zip lining with friends and family.  This particular course is known for its suspended rope obstacle course, Tarzan swing, and five separate zip lines.  The total length of the course is 2395 feet, with the longest zip at 305 feet.  Thankfully, I didn’t have any of this information ahead of time.  I approached the event with excitement to be with everyone, but also a nagging fear that anyone who shares my fear of heights can appreciate.

During orientation, I met my two new best friends: the first was the clip that secured the glider on the rope I would be using to zip line, and the second was a fail-safe clip.  There were other essential items, I’m sure, but those two clips were like precious jewels when I recognized their role in my adventure.  They were literally connecting me to my lifeline during each zip.

Can you think of a trial in your life that initially seemed insurmountable? Perhaps in the form of rejection, health issues, loss of someone close to your heart, discouragement, pain in relationships… the list of possibilities could go on and on, because the reality is that we all face difficult times.  What is our lifeline during the turbulence in our otherwise peaceful lives?

The more appropriate question may be, “Who” is our Lifeline?  (The definition for lifeline is: a rope or line used for life-saving).  God offers us stability and security every day of our lives, especially when we pray for His comfort and help.  Let’s look together at some examples of those who used prayer to connect to their crucial Life-line.

Consider the servant of Elisha in 2 Kings 6:8-22, when he woke up one morning to an army of horses and chariots the angry King of Aram used to surround the city of Dothan in an effort to capture Elisha:

“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha,” (2 Kings 6:15-17).

Or how Nehemiah prayed before the God of Heaven in Nehemiah 1:4-10 while mourning and fasting because he heard about the poor condition of Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile.  Keep in mind that Nehemiah was serving King Artaxerxes as his cupbearer… a servant.  Nehemiah chapter 2 begins with him bringing the wine to the king, and the king noticing how uncharacteristically sad Nehemiah was:

“I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”

I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

The king said to me, “What is it you want?”

Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

 Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time,” (Nehemiah 2:1-6).

There are so many biblical examples of prayer connecting the souls on earth to our God, including Daniel, Hannah, Job, King David, King Solomon… but the last example I’d like to leave with you is our Savior, Jesus Christ.  (When you get a chance, study how often the scriptures mention Jesus praying).

In the moments leading up to His betrayal, unfair trial, unjust sentencing, beatings, humiliation, and even a torturous death (a willing sacrifice to redeem us), He chose to pray to His Heavenly Father.  Starting in Luke 22:39-44, we read:

“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.  On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”  He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,  “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”  An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.  And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”

If we are living and loving, we will all experience trials.  If we are walking in faith with God, and serving Him while we sojourn this earth, we will always have the connecting power of prayer to our heavenly Father.  Much like my safety clip that tied me safely to each rope from beginning of the zip line to the end, prayer and faith tie us to our Creator and Redeemer from now until we reach Heaven.  Using Jesus as our model, let’s treasure the gift of prayer, and remain connected to our Lifeline forever.