O God of Life, death casts a frightening shadow over my life because it makes me feel helpless in its presence. But I know that there is One who can walk me through death’s valley and bring me safely to the other side. Because life is uncertain, I follow after You, My Good Shepherd, for Your rod and Your staff protects me as I travel this life into the one that awaits me in the next. I am encouraged because You’ve given me a multitude of witnesses (Bible characters, the Saints and common everyday people) who endured many sufferings and difficulties and yet prevailed. Help me throw off everything that comes to hinder me … fear, worry, doubt, sin … and help me run the race You’ve appointed for me with perseverance and courage. As I fix my eyes on You, who for the satisfaction of doing the will of Your Father, gained a special place at His right hand … so do I look for a place at Your banqueting table.
Praise to You, My Lord, who comforts me in all of my troubles so that I can be a source of comfort to others who also find themselves in trouble. I know that in my times of suffering Your promises will carry me through my rough times and prepare me for things to come. Your words are perpetual sources of comfort and strength … and, that’s why I cling to them. The greatest promise You’ve given me is that of Your undying love and Your standing with me always … in all things … at all times … to see I make it through to victory. As I seek You daily, I am confident that You will enrich my life, give me hope and provide me with the strength to endure and become the person You want me to be. I know that Your desire is to comfort those who mourn … the loss of loved ones, missed opportunities, failures … and, it’s You alone who can turn my mourning into gladness and my sorrow into joy. And, in Your abundant love, You wipe away my tears, take me into Your arms and show me the way I am to go. Life is filled with frustrations and disappointments, but You fill my life with peace, compassion and hope.
Your Word tells me that blest, fortunate and enviable are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. To be blessed, means that I’m filled with joy and hope despite what is going on around me. To appropriate these gifts, I must follow and cling to You at all cost. I know I can find comfort in Your Word, for everything that was captured in the Scriptures are to teach me how to endure and how to walk in ways that produce hope and joy. By listening to Your words and meditating on them, I gain strength, encouragement and rest. You ask me to be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in whatever circumstances I find myself so that I can gain a perspective that will help me overcome my difficulties. As I conform to Your will, I know it will become easier to be joyful and thankful. I feel at peace and I trust that the things in my life will go well as I rest in Your arms. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Jeremiah 29:11 I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.