Those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
(Isaiah 40:31 NIV)
God, I hate reading the news, yet I’m drawn to it.
There’s lots of bad news to be drawn to.
Yes. The flooding victims in Texas. So many young lives lost. So much grief.
Yes, I AM there.
I don’t understand how a wall of water 30 feet high forms in 45 minutes, without some sort of divine intervention or nefarious human plans.
I did not cause that river to flood.
I know. Should I ask if it was caused by humans?
Would it help your peace of mind to know?
Probably not.
Then focus on what you do know.
Camp Mystic was a Christian camp so, I’m assuming, that those girls were Believers.
That’s a good assumption.
But, the grief of those families……It makes my heart hurt. Those parents and grandparents, siblings, relatives and friends of all those children…..
It saddens me, too.
Thank you, God, for the heroes and first responders who have been tirelessly searching for, rescuing, and reuniting people. I pray you would supply them with the physical strength, stamina, and resources they need to continue their work until everyone is found. But more than that, I ask that you provide them with the emotional and spiritual support to process the trauma they’ve experienced. Heal any regret, guilt, or pain they may carry because of this situation. Draw their hearts to you, and surround them with people who can support and care for them. Above all, be their Jehovah Shalom—their peace in the midst of it all.
I AM Jehovah Shalom.
Yes, Lord.
What else is on your mind?
Children. Like “Amelia’s” unborn baby girl—who is expected to undergo three heart surgeries before she turns three. Amelia herself battled two cancers just two years ago, is now raising two preschool-aged boys, and is trying to process and prepare for an overwhelming number of unknowns.
I AM in that situation.
If this baby is “fearfully and wonderfully made in her mother’s womb,” why is her heart malformed?
That is not an answer I will give you.
Sorry.
But you can pray for the family.
How?
Just ask…
God, I ask for your Spirit to be powerfully present with “Amelia,” “Jim,” their two sons, and their whole family. In Jesus’ name, I ask for a miracle for baby “LJ”—that you would completely heal her heart so that, when she is born, it will be whole and free of any malformations. May the doctors and medical team see her and recognize that something extraordinary has happened—that she is a living miracle because of your healing power. Give Amelia and Jim the strength and endurance they need as they walk through this difficult time. Provide everything they need—practically, emotionally, and spiritually—and bless them with even more than they expect. Surround them with a strong, faithful community of friends and prayer warriors, so they never doubt that you are near and that you are holding them up. Above all, Lord, I ask again in Jesus’ name—please heal this baby.
Good, Child. Keep praying.
For whom?
The little girl with a mass in her brain.
Oh Lord, I lift up young “Cora” to you. I pray for supernatural healing—that you would remove the mass completely, even before the next scan or any surgery. But if that is not your will, I ask that your perfect wisdom would guide the neurosurgeons as they determine how to remove as much of this complex tumor as possible. I also pray for her parents. Please grant them stamina, hope, and all the physical and spiritual resources they need. Help them to run with endurance the race set before them, while continually waiting on you—their source of renewed strength.
Good. Now your son.
After these cases, his seems rather unimportant.
But it’s not. It’s all important to me. I have a purpose and a plan for each life, and you should pray.
I’ve been consistently praying for the restoration of that hip—that’s the word you gave me: restoration. Every time there’s been a healing service, a guest pastor with healing gifts, or a specific time of prayer for hips, he’s been prayed over. But still, there’s been no change. He’s still been limping, still in pain, and still lacking stamina.
Then you need to pray, don’t you?
I guess so. It’s hard to keep praying for a miracle when we’ve committed to a surgery.
Perhaps the surgery is the miracle.
I feel like I don’t have enough faith to believe for a miracle if I take him to the hospital this morning.
It’s not about your faith; it’s about my plans for him. Your job is to stay obedient. Besides, who says the surgery won’t just improve his hip, but will completely restore it, as you have been praying?
I hope so.
Don’t lose the hope. I am the God of Hope who fills you with all joy and peace in your believing. You will overflow with Hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Yes, Lord. But those other parents need hope, too.
Allow me to minister to them in my way, through my people. I AM their hope.
Yes, Lord. This prayer post seems to be centered around stamina and hope. Stamina for first responders, parents, medical personnel, and families and friends. Staying strong in the midst of very difficult circumstances so you can sustain the effort it takes to care for your children and navigate all of that….. I hurt for these families. They need you to be their Hope.
You are not to take on their pain. You are to pray. I have already taken on their pain. I took it to the cross so that death could not longer have victory. Do not take on what is not yours; focus on what is yours to do. Love your children. Be a blessing to others. But stay in a place of peace. That is where I AM.
AMEN.
_____________________
Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)