[Please join me in praying for children, families, and our future on Thursdays this year.]
“For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.” (Psalm 116:8-9 NIV)
Many families today struggle with trauma, drug addictions, abuse, grief, divorce, suicide, financial crisis, and other extremely difficult things. These very real problems lead to very real emotions like sorrow, despair, and guilt, and some terribly deep scars can be left on the souls and spirits of these precious young people.
“As I sink in despair, my spirit ebbing away, you know how I’m feeling, Know the danger I’m in, the traps hidden in my path. Look right, look left— there’s not a soul who cares what happens! I’m up against the wall, with no exit— it’s just me, all alone. I cry out, God, call out: ‘You’re my last chance, my only hope for life!’ Oh listen, please listen; I’ve never been this low.” (Psalm 142:3-6 MSG)
I don’t know from personal experience what it’s like to “walk a mile in the moccasins” of someone whose family is in a deep crisis or trauma, but I know I can pray for these families.
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:3-4 NLT)
Today, let us pray for those walking through trauma.
God of Peace,
Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, and your justice like the ocean depths. How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. Thank you for hearing our prayers and comforting those that mourn and desperately need you. Today we intervene for families who are experiencing trauma. No matter how this trauma entered the family, we pray you will provide help to adults and children who are grieving, addicted, abused, hopeless, and in despair. We pray you will rescue them, provide for them, be their shelter, rock, and redeemer. We ask you to supernaturally intervene and fill in gaps, restore livelihoods lost, heal grief and trauma, and provide new hope in new ways. We pray you will replace the years the “locusts” of trauma have destroyed. Help these precious ones, dearly loved by you, to hear your voice, respond to your love, trust you for today and their future, and choose to walk forward in your Light, Truth, and Grace. Holy Spirit, be their Comforter, Protector, and Guide, we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 36:5-7 NLT)
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.” (Joel 2:25 NIV)
“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 NLT)
“If you are walking in darkness,
without a ray of light,
trust in the Lord
and rely on your God.” (Isaiah 50:10 NLT)
“The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them.” (Hosea 14:9 NLT)
“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16 NIV)