I once learned a great lesson at a prayer meeting at a southern church. As one man prayed, he asked the Lord for various blessings, just as you or I would, and he thanked the Lord for many blessings already received, just as you or I would. But he closed his prayer with this unusual petition: “And, O Lord, support us! Yes, support us on every leaning side!”

Do you have any “leaning sides”? This humble man’s prayer pictured them in a new way and illustrated the Great Supporter in a new light as well. He saw God as always walking alongside the Christian, ready to extend His mighty arm to steady the weak on “every leaning side.”

Child of My love, lean hard, And let Me feel the pressure of your care; I know your burden, child. I shaped it; Balanced it in Mine Own hand; made no proportion In its weight to your unaided strength, For even as I laid it on, I said, “I will be near, and while she leans on Me, This burden will be Mine, not hers; So will I keep My child within the circling arms Of My Own love.” Here lay it down, nor fear To impose it on a shoulder that upholds The government of worlds. Yet closer come: You are not near enough. I would embrace your care; So I might feel My child reclining on My breast. You love Me, I know. So then do not doubt; But loving Me, lean hard.