Friday, May 1, 2015

A Prayer For The Suffering

Jesus,

So many of Your children awake this morning in the deep dark cavern of suffering. So many wake up in pain this morning. Their body hurts. You know they did not sleep well last night as they tossed and turned looking for even the slightest relief from the pain. It did not come. You have the power to heal. We will never understand why You choose to heal this one and not that one. You see the physical suffering and maybe, what is worse,  the psychological suffering that accompanies it. You know how many will awake this morning and even the slightest task will require Herculean effort. You know how every step will send sharp pain through joints. You take note of the sick feeling deep inside some of your suffering saints. You have not lost track of how many of these have not felt good or had a good day in a long time. What will You do for them today? I of course ask You for healing. I ask You for strength to get them through this day and the onslaught of treatments, physical therapy, doctor visits, and taking medications. Please keep their eyes focused on You and not the pain as You help them endure.

You also see those who are giving care to loved ones who are sick. You know how tired these caregivers are. You know how frayed they are emotionally. They have endured an onslaught of bad news. You have heard their cries for healing and You have seen their tears. These brothers and sisters in You are weary and heavy laden. Only You can give them rest in their souls and in their bodies. You are aware of how many of these caregivers that will wake up today feeling hopeless because there is nothing they can really do today to relieve the suffering for a an ailing parent, child, spouse, grandparent, or treasured friend. You have not forsaken. I ask You to give caregivers strength and compassion to keep ministering to those suffering physically. I ask You to restore hope even in the most hopeless situations. I plead with you to help these caregivers capture snap shop memories with their hearts today with those they love and are giving care to.

My heart hurts for those suffering mentally and emotionally. You know the reasons. Some in loveless marriages. Some battling for prodigal children to return to You. . Some facing tumultuous times at work . You see those who are in a financial free fall. You have not forgotten them or their needs. In fact, You promised in Your word that You are our Provider. You provide for the birds in the air. I know You care more for Your suffering children. I ask You to move these financial mountains and send the perfect provision at just the right time for those in need. I ask You to cast out fear, anxiety, and doubt as You replace those with courage, peace, and faith.

How many of Your children are suffering from shame of sinful choices and messy mistakes with devastating consequences. O, I plead with You to remind these there is no condemnation with You if they are indeed in relationship with You. Yes, there is conviction and rightly so, but not condemnation. You offer forgiveness and redemption. That is what You do. You can make the burnt ashes of bitter consequences into a mantle of praise and a testimony of Your amazing grace. Please help these suffering to find a new path that leads out of the dark tunnel of shame and regret, to begin anew with You today, and to see themselves as Your beloved child.

Lastly, I lift up those who are suffering from a broken heart. You know the cause. You see the puddle of tears and the ache in the pit of their souls. You see the pain is so deep and so real that it hurts them physically. You are near to them in this hour and every hour. They may not feel like You are near. They may be convinced You are far from them and You have forsaken them. I know better. Your Word tells us You are near to those who are brokenhearted and contrite in spirit. I ask You to heal the wounds. I ask You to put their shattered heart back together again with love and tenderness. I ask You to wipe their tear stained cheeks and let the light of Your soothing presence flood in their souls like warm sunshine.

Please help the suffering today. I cry out for You to help, to heal, to comfort, to provide, to renew, to forgive, to restore, to strengthen. In essence I am just asking You to be God and do what You do. We will assuredly give You all the glory. In Jesus name.

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