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Friday, June 6, 2014

A Prayer for Weary Friends

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit - Ps. 34:18

> > Dear Lord Jesus, there's no Savior like you—none so merciful and kind, present and loving. The brokenhearted don't need to "buck up" and be brave when they see you coming. The crushed in spirit don't need to pull themselves together, as though you would be greatly disappointed to find us less than conquerors.
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> > We praise you that the gospel frees us from posing and pretending, spinning and hyping. Jesus, you have no need for us to be anything other than we actually are. You are nearer than the next breath to those who are in need of fresh grace. That's why we bring a wide array of weary friends, including ourselves, to you today.
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> > Jesus, we pray for friends struggling with dashed hopes and unfulfilled longings. Whether the dream was for a loving marriage, emotionally healthy kids, the "good-health gene," or a longer career, you meet us right where we are, no matter what the disappointment is. Show us how to encourage our friends, without minimizing their pain. May your grace prove to be sufficient, and our friendship helpful, over the long haul.
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> > Jesus, we pray for weary friends serving on church staffs or in vocational ministry. Many of them wake up today disillusioned, depleted, and despondent. Though all of us are targets of spiritual warfare, those who labor in the gospel bear unique challenges. Show us how to wrestle in prayer for our friends, and to encourage them in practical ways.
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> > Jesus, keep our betrayed friends from bitterness, our wayward friends from disaster, and our depressed friends from harmful non-solutions.
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> > Jesus, for those of us who don't feel crushed in spirit but rather feel disconnected in spirit, help us sort through the issues. Show us what is repent-able and what is repairable; and bring quiet to our noisy hearts so we can hear you speak. Convince us, yet again, that we need your presence much, much more than we need circumstances and people to change.
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> > Jesus, today and every day, we declare that our hope is built on nothing else, nothing less, and nothing more, than you and your finished work on our behalf. So very Amen we pray, in your near and compassionate name.

Bosom of Abraham / See Jesus See the Father