Prayer: Intercession - "Take Care of My Friend"

Did you know that one of the reasons that God gave us each other is so that we can encourage and pray for one another? We often forget that we have the ability to go before the Lord on behalf of our friends, loved ones, family, strangers, and even enemies. It's called Intercession. God hears and honors the prayers of pure hearts that go before Him honestly in efforts to help others. Sometimes we know people who are hurting so bad that they have trouble praying for themselves. It is our responsibility as their Christian brother/sister to step in and intercede on their behalf. So the next time someone you know is struggling with sin or are hurting, or even just having a hard day, before you open your mouth to judge them, pray for them. Love them. Let God handle the rest.

Dear God,

Today I want to pray for ___________. 

They are hurting and they need your peace. I know that I can't heal their hurt no matter how much I may want to, but I know that You can. Please cover them, comfort them and ease the pain so that they will feel Your love. Let them know that this trial will not last forever and that You can use it to make them stronger! Although they may not feel it now, remind them that they are valuable in your eyes! Lord, shield them from the hurt of negativity and judgments from people who do not care, but surround them with people who will love them, support them and build them up so they can push through this stronger than they were before. Show them that You really love them and that You are able to restore any brokenness that they have. And as You are working on them, help me never to judge them and to just be a supportive friend. Show me how to love them as You love us, without condition. Lord, I trust you to take care of my friend. 

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

"Share each other's troubles and problems and in this way obey the Law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody."  Galatians 6:2-3

Love.

My Rescuer...My Peace

I spent a little extra time with God this morning in prayer and study. Sometimes when I wake up heavyhearted with the weight of the world on my shoulders, I break down and admit to God that I am feeling weak. I used to hate admitting to God when I am weak, frustrated or sad because in my mind it made me feel like I was failing at being a Christian somehow. It may sound a little crazy, but to me, that's just how it feels. For some reason, I tend to believe that being a successful Christian means having this incredible strength, being able to shake weak feelings and emotions off and being strong for everyone around me. Being sad, crying or frustrated doesn't seem so "spiritual" to me.

I realize that this is exactly what Satan wants me to feel. He wants me to push away any weak feelings and emotions I have and put on this fake superhero strength so I won't need to ask God for help. Anytime I have these feelings, I promised God that I would immediately take it to Him. I decided that in order for me to have an intimate and personal relationship with God, I would have to be 100% completely honest with Him in EVERYTHING. This means when I am feeling weak, sad, happy, etc. It doesn't matter.

 I promised to Him that I would just be honest with Him in whatever I was feeling. I made the decision to write down my feelings in my journal whenever I begin to start feeling overwhelmed with emotion or when I am feeling weak. It has helped me to understand myself better, and it has strengthened my relationship with God because it teaches me to reach for Him and seek Him in everything I go through. I now know that I don't have to go through anything alone. I don't have to push away my weak feelings and pretend they don't exist. I don't have to gather the little bit of strength I have and try to push forward by myself. God is there willing and ready to listen and take that load right off of my shoulders, and He does. He rescues me from myself and gives me the peace that I need to continue on. 

This is why I love Him so much. In my weak moments of despair, God gently reassures me that He loves me and that He's there. When I feel alone and hopeless, he constantly reminds me that He's there for me. His love for me surpasses ALL. Nobody else comes to my aid like my Father does. And He has been just that, my Father.

I was reading an article on prayer this morning in my devotional, and it asks, "If you were to give God a personal name while praying, what would you call Him?" I thought about my relationship with God and how to me He has constantly rescued me from my harmful thoughts, my fears and my doubts. I thought about how He rushes to my side to teach me and comfort me when I have weak moments. I thought about how He is my escape when no one else understands. The first word that came to my mind was "Rescuer". God is my rescuer and my peace. And for that I am forever thankful and grateful that He loves me that much.

xo

I want to ask you all the same question...If you were to give God a personal name, what would you call Him and why?