How to Pray in Times of Stress

Evans Shepherd Linda

Description

While there are a variety of coping techniques when it comes to stress--sleep more, eat better, avoid this, seek that out--the true remedy is prayer. In this inspiring book, Linda Evans Shepherd shows readers how to recognize God's continual presence and yield their troubles to the Prince of Peace. Through captivating stories, explorations of fascinating biblical characters, and examples of deeper-than-ever prayers, she brings within readers' grasp the peace that passes understanding. Anyone who is overwhelmed by all of the urgent demands on their time will find in this book a lifeline to true peace.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Prayer in Christianity

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 02 janvier 2018
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781493413867
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
© 2014 by Linda Evans Shepherd
Published by Revell
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.revellbooks.com
Spire edition published 2018
Previously published under the title The Stress Cure
Ebook edition created 2018
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www .zondervan.com
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2007
Scripture quotations labeled GNT are from the Good News Translation—Second Edition. Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations labeled GW are from G OD ’ S W ORD ®. © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.
Scripture quotations labeled KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations labeled Message are from THE MESSAGE . Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ( www.Lockman.org )
Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NLV are from New Life Version © Christian Literature International.
Scripture quotations labeled NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled TLB are from The Living Bible, copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Published in association with the Books & Such Literary Agency, 52 Mission Circle, Suite 122, PMB 170, Santa Rosa, CA 95409-7953.
To protect privacy, some details and names have been changed.
Endorsements
“Linda brilliantly and biblically shines the light on exchanging the promised gift of peace for the crippling and unwanted stresses of life. Packed with prayer and promises, this book will free ´you to experience the power of God’s peace.”
— Lysa TerKeurst , New York Times bestselling author, Unglued ; president, Proverbs 31 Ministries
Praise for When You Don’t Know What to Pray
“The book’s strength is Shepherd’s heart for prayer and tenderness for her readers. Recommend to people who are struggling through difficult circumstances and to pastors and group leaders.”
— CBA Retailers + Resources
“Linda has used powerful prayer to overcome the worst of circumstances, and you can too. She does not share pat answers, she shares truth that will transform your life. Are you ready to learn her prayer secrets? Bow your head and pray your way through this book.”
— LeAnn Thieman , coauthor, Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman’s Soul and Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul 2
“This book is a must-read for anyone who desires a stronger prayer life. Linda speaks from experience, and her stories compel the reader to pray more.”
— Carole Lewis , national director, First Place, www.firstplace.org
“Linda Evans Shepherd is a woman of prayer, and in a world of crisis, change, and constant challenges, what woman doesn’t need to learn more about the praying life? Pick up this book to gain an encouraged and equipped heart.”
— Pam Farrel , international speaker; relationship specialist; author, Men Are Like Waffles , Women Are Like Spaghetti
Praise for Experiencing God’s Presence
“If you long for a relationship with God that is deeper, richer, and more intimate than you’ve ever known before, read this book. In Experiencing God’s Presence , Linda Evans Shepherd reveals the secrets of learning how to listen to God during your prayer times. Each chapter is filled with practical, biblical tools that will enrich your prayer life and draw you closer to the heart of the Father.”
— Carol Kent , speaker; author, When I Lay My Isaac Down
“ Experiencing God’s Presence will transform your prayer life! Please buy this book.”
— Elaine Miller , author, Splashes of Serenity
Dedication
In memory of my dad— James Leroy Evans. A godly man, a wonderful husband, and a dear father. No daughter had a better daddy.
Contents
Cover 1
Title Page 3
Copyright Page 4
Endorsements 5
Dedication 7
Acknowledgments 10
Introduction: The Problem of Stress 11
1. The Key to Peace: Finding More of God’s Presence 19
2. Overwhelmed: Finding Relief When the World Closes In 32
3. Stuck: Finding Release from the Cares of This World 47
4. Frustrated: Finding Contentment in Difficulties 60
5. Burdened: Finding a Way to Lighten Your Load 75
6. Hopeless: Finding a Light in the Dark 92
7. Offended: Finding Relief from Hard Feelings 105
8. Anxious: Finding God’s Bliss 121
9. Negative: Finding the Secret to a Good Mood 138
10. Distracted: Finding Your Focus 155
11. Depressed: Finding Real Joy 170
12. The Peace That Passes Understanding 186
Conclusion: Finding God’s Peace 203
Notes 204
About the Author 208
Back Cover 209
Acknowledgments
Thank you, dear family, for your love and support as I wrote this book. I want to thank my dear husband and my son, as you are always there for me. I’m also sending a special thank-you to my daughter—Miss Laura—who stays joyful no matter her challenges. You are an inspiration.
I’m also sending a shout out to my wonderful praying friends in the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) and my precious prayer partner, Carole. Also, a special thank-you to Team Shepherd for all you do. I so appreciate you all.
Also, a special thanks to my editor, Vicki Crumpton, and my agent, Janet Kobobel Grant, as well as all my wonderful friends at Baker Publishing Group. It has been such a blessing to partner with you in publishing this much needed message.
And finally, thank you, dear readers, for opening this book. The thing I most loved about writing it is that it helped me go deeper into the mysteries of God’s joy, peace, and presence. My prayer is that this book will do the same for you.
I love you all very much!
Introduction
The Problem of Stress
Peace be with you.
Luke 24:36
A clock would make a poor bank. No customer would ever be able to deposit a moment to save for later because, at the end of the day, every second would be spent and the clock would be bankrupt.
While it’s true that each day gives us twenty-four hours to spend, those hours have to be divided into moments driven by the demands of our to-do lists, not to mention our problems, worries, families, and jobs. It seems that our minutes evaporate no matter how fast we rush to meet them. The ticking of the clock is one of the reasons why, according to Psychology Today , 39 percent of Americans claimed their stress had increased over the past year. The article continues with unsettling news: “More alarming, only 29 percent reported that they were doing an ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ job at managing their stress.” 1
We’ll get up tomorrow with a brand-new set of twenty-four hours, a new day that will give us another chance to catch up, find solutions to our challenges, and—hopefully—calm down. Yet, by the end of tomorrow, many of us will fail to find solutions to our stressors. A recent survey shows that most people hear alarm bells when it comes to money (75%), work (70%), the economy (67%), relationships (58%), family responsibilities (57%), family’s health (53%), personal health (53%), job stability (49%), housing (49%), and personal safety (32%). 2
If we can’t find a way to quiet these alarms, we could be in for even more stress, which eventually impacts our health. Web MD explains:
If stress happens too often or lasts too long, it can have bad effects. It can be linked to headaches, an upset stomach, back pain, and trouble sleeping. It can weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight off disease. If you already have a health problem, stress may make it worse. It can make you moody, tense, or depressed. Your relationships may suffer, and you may not do well at work or school. 3
Not only that, but stress contributes to conditions such as fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, a quick temper, obesity, cancer, stroke, heart attack, and even death.
Yikes! The thought of the effects of stress is enough to stress out anyone.
Before I start to tell you the secrets to taming stress, let’s define it. Wikipedia defines stress as “a negative concept that can have an impact on one’s mental and physical well-being,” 4 while the World English Dictionary describes it as “mental, emotional, or physical strain or tension.” 5
Besides the mental and physical impacts of stress, stress can also impact our spiritual well-being with what I call “soul blocks.” These include such things as harboring offenses, the feeling of being overwhelmed or out of c