Most Loving Lord, because I live in an imperfect world filled with sin, sickness, and death, I need You to help me manage the process of living. To succeed, I must not forget Your words which assure me that in the world I will have tribulations … but if I cling to You I will be okay. Your words remind me that my life will encounter its share of hardships, sorrows, and difficulties. However, I am encouraged by the fact You will be there to help me make it through each day. Belonging to You does not guarantee that I will not have to face problems and situations that are beyond what I know how to handle but knowing You will be there offers me comfort. What is critical to sustaining my faith is the belief that Your words are true, and You will do what You say You will do. My enemy wants me to believe that I am helpless and alone … I need You to remind me that You will never leave or forsake me.
I rejoice in the fact that You came into the world to bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom to the captives and release the prisoners from darkness. Your mission was “deliverance” from the bondage of wrong thinking, fleshly desires and run away emotions. Your antidote for hopelessness, worry, fear, loneliness, sorrow, weariness and disappointment is peace, rest, comfort, perseverance, hope, renewed strength and safety. You came to comfort me in my times of need so that I, in turn, could comfort others because I had already traveled the road they were about to encounter. In the same way that Your suffering flowed into me to give me renewed life, use me to pass it along to others. My trust in You is firm because I know that You share in my suffering and want to ease my pain. I know You understand my emptiness and sorrow, and I am convinced that You are the only one who can help me find rest.
I have been blessed with good people in my life who enrich it. However, facing reality, I know they will not be with me forever … but I have the assurance that You will be with me always. In that promise, I find safety and confidence. And, while I sometimes find my burdens unbearable, I am reminded of Your words which tell me I will never have to bear more than I can carry. I, therefore, have Your assurance that You will regulate my struggles and problems so that I am not buried in hopelessness and futility. The level of negativity in my life is determined by my choices … whether I seek Your help … and, not giving up before my race is complete. Though I face loneliness, discouragement, and more, I am confident that with You by my side I will prevail. Considering the challenges I face; I will not submit to fear or discouragement and face life’s difficulties head on. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord Your God goes before you; He will not leave you or forsake you.