Spiritual Growth – Page 2 – REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES

On the fourth Friday of each month in 2026, we’re studying The Answer to Anxiety by Joyce Meyer. Join me as we learn practical. Scripture-based steps we can take when fear or worry try to take hold.

CHAPTER SIX — The Comfort of Prayer

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
— 2 Corinthians 1:3–4

INTRODUCTION

In Chapter Six, Joyce Meyer teaches us about the comfort of prayer—how we can receive comfort from God for ourselves and how we can extend that same comfort to others. She also addresses several hindrances to answered prayer.

Joyce encourages us to remember that God is the God of all comfort. When we are hurting, anxious, or overwhelmed, we don’t need to wait—we can receive His comfort simply by asking. Going to God immediately in times of distress allows His peace to meet us sooner.

“When I am anxious or worried about a problem that comes up, the sooner I release the care of it to God, the sooner I receive comfort from Him.”
— Joyce Meyer

CASTING YOUR CARE ON GOD

“Cast your burden on the Lord [release it], and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”
— Psalm 55:22

God wants to help us carry our burdens, but we must be willing to release them to Him. Scripture repeatedly invites us to cast our cares on the Lord. God can carry what we cannot. When we try to hold everything ourselves, stress and anxiety take over.

Jesus offers this same invitation:

“Come to Me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest.”
— Matthew 11:28–29

Jesus desires to share our load, not add to it. But we must choose to let Him carry what weighs us down.

Joyce reminds us that meditating on Scripture and praying bring comfort during difficult seasons. The sooner we release our cares; the sooner God’s comfort can meet us.

PRAYER FOR OTHERS

Praying for others can also reduce our own anxiety. When we shift our focus away from ourselves and onto the needs of others, our stress level often decreases.

Ways to pray for others:

- Ask God to comfort, strengthen, and meet their needs
- Pray for patience and endurance
- Ask God to give them wisdom
- Pray for medical professionals to have wisdom and clarity
- Lift up anyone facing physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges

HINDRANCES TO ANSWERED PRAYER

Joyce reminds us that certain things can interfere with answered prayer. Scripture identifies several common hindrances:

- Prayerlessness (James 4:2)
- Lack of boldness (Hebrews 4:16)
- Hidden sin (Psalm 66:18)
- Wrong motives (James 4:3)
- Doubt and unbelief (Mark 9:24)
- Worry (Matthew 6:25–34)
- Unforgiveness (Ephesians 4:26–27)
- Pride (1 Peter 5:5–7)

These are not meant to discourage us, but to help us remove anything that blocks God’s peace and power in our lives.

CALL TO ACTION

This week, spend intentional time in prayer. Ask God to reveal any cares you need to release to Him. Invite the Holy Spirit—your Comforter—to guide you to Scripture and bring peace to whatever troubles you are facing today.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, thank You that I can cast all my burdens and cares on You. Help me release anxiety and receive Your comfort and peace. I trust You with everything that concerns me. Amen.

This year, our Bible study will take us through the powerful and hope-filled book of Hebrews. Each month on the 2nd Friday, we’ll discover how its timeless truths strengthen our faith, anchor our hearts, and help us run our race with victory in Christ.

“But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore, he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”
Hebrews 7:24–25 (NLT)

Hebrews chapter seven gives us a powerful comparison between three priesthoods — spanning from the Old Testament days of Abraham and Moses to the New Testament fulfillment found in Jesus Christ.

At first glance, this chapter can feel complex. But its message is deeply reassuring: what we have in Christ is permanent, complete, and secure.

The Limited Levitical Priesthood

Under the law of Moses, priests came from the tribe of Levi. This priesthood served an important purpose, but it was never meant to be final. It carried clear limitations that pointed to the need for something everlasting.

- The priests were human and eventually died
- Sacrifices had to be repeated again and again
- Access to God through the priesthood was limited

This system revealed humanity’s need for a greater, eternal mediator.

Melchizedek: A Picture of Something Greater

Melchizedek appears briefly in the Old Testament, yet his role carries great significance. Rather than being the focus, he serves as a signpost — pointing forward to the coming Messiah.

- He was not from the tribe of Levi
- He served as both king and priest
- There is no recorded beginning or end to his priesthood

Melchizedek helps us understand that God’s plan for a priesthood was always bigger than the law.

Jesus: Our Eternal High Priest

Jesus did not become our High Priest because He met a physical requirement, but because He was appointed by God’s oath. His priesthood is not temporary — it is eternal.

- He lives forever
- He intercedes for us continually
- He saves us completely

Because Jesus lives forever, He never stops standing on our behalf before the Father.

RHW Victory Lens

The permanence of Jesus’ priesthood gives us unshakable hope.

Our victory does not depend on human systems, repeated sacrifices, or personal effort. It rests securely in Christ — our eternal High Priest — who continually intercedes for us and saves us completely.

Because He lives forever, our future is secure.

Reflection Questions

- What comforts me most about knowing Jesus intercedes for me continually?
- Where do I need to rest more fully in the security of my salvation?
- How does Jesus’ eternal priesthood strengthen my faith today?

Closing Prayer

Jesus, thank You for being my eternal High Priest. Thank You that You live forever and never stop interceding on my behalf. Help me rest in the security of what You have already accomplished for me. Strengthen my faith and anchor my hope in You as I continue running the race. Amen.