Friday Morning Prayer:). September 9, 2015
September 19, 2015 - 7 minutes readWhat a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
“Remember how fleeting is my life. For what futility you have created all men! What man can live and not see death, or save himself from the power of the grave?”[1]
Beloved In Christ,
We do not completely understand our sovereign God, nor can we answer satisfactorily when tragedy happens, especially the death of a loved one. You know it hurts, your feel the pain, the grief, the helplessness, even depression. I do too. We mourn with those who mourn and lay everything before our God in prayer, even crying out for comfort. Only God knows our beginning and our end. He alone “…turns men back to dust, saying, ‘Return to dust, O sons of men.’ ”[2] “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”[3]
Yesterday morning a brother shared about a terminally ill person ending his own life. We talked and rightly concluded, we must rest on, even surrender to God’s mercy, in life and death.
In the book of James we read, “…you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a while and then vanishes.”[4] So, we know we are going to eventually die to this life. In fact, the psalmist writes, “The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty, if we have the strength.”[5] The reality of this experience has been more real this week for a faithful brother, and possibly you in recent days.
In Christ, we have blessed hope! The Scriptures encourage us to welcome God’s timing in experiencing glory, even as we pray… come Lord Jesus. I do want to encourage you to persevere in our shared faith, even as we rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.[6]
Paul wrote, “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”[7]
We pray more and more, over and over with persistence, especially for those who resist putting complete trust… and refuse to surrender ALL to Jesus. We pray for regeneration, death to self, redemption from sin that results in a new creation pursuing the cross daily, a hunger and supernatural thirst to live and work out our new life In Christ! Without Jesus, death should be fearful and unwelcomed.
Therefore, we cry out to God for overflowing mercy! We pray, pray, pray, O gracious God grant mercy, soften the calloused heart. Open the eyes of the blind, ears to hear and eyes to see a new supernatural, eternal perspective!
This week our faithful brother shared his niece suffered a catastrophic stroke while giving birth. I found out she died yesterday. A new life born, we rejoice in God’s grace. We mourn too, a motherless child, a father lost his wife, a mother and father their daughter, siblings, uncles, cousins… family and friends suffering a significant loss. Tears as I prayed, O Lord… merciful God… draw this family to Yourself.
Use my brother to love those suffering… comfort him as he mourns the loss of his niece and experiences the pain of his family…. There are no words from a human perspective to bring comfort… only your supernatural presence and mercy granted, in life and death. Reveal Yourself in salvation for those trying to make sense of this painful loss, even abundant grace and comfort for those who trust You as Lord and Savior.
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
Thank you for your prayers for our brother as he visits family and grieves through this time of loss.
Sisters are meeting to pray! Join sisters In Christ this Friday at First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900. You are invited!
Brothers are meeting to pray! Yes! You are welcome. Mountain View Bible. 2710 Alpine Blvd. Alpine. 0730.
LoVe YOU! MUCH!
Randall
[1] Psalm 89:47-48
[2] Ibid 90:3
[3] Ibid v. 12
[4] James 4:14
[5] Psalm 90:10
[6] Romans 12:15
[7] Philippians 1:21-22
0 Comments