Need Encouragement?

How are you my friend? Does life have you on the mountaintop or in the valley? Are you grateful for new opportunities or fearful of walking away from old ones? Sometimes life has a way of giving us joyful moments in the midst of chaos and others it's one hard step after another. I don't know what your life looks like, but I'm guessing you, like me and everyone else on the planet, have some hard stuff going on. The depth of our pain may not be the same, but yet our struggles are real. 

I've been thinking about and dealing with challenges in my own life and home - sickness, busyness, parenting; I've also been praying for friends walking thru hard times of their own - health problems, relationship conflicts, rejection, grief, financial struggles...the list could go, but you get the idea. 

My heart hurts for those I love and I often find myself thinking, "What can I do to help?" I can't change circumstances or control the event's in their lives. For some I can deliver a meal or offer a hug. I can try and offer words of encouragement and sometimes I do, but there are times I probably say too much. 

Ephesians 4:29 tells us, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, so that it may benefit those who listen." Friend, our words are powerful - they speak life or death, they uplift and tear down. Sometimes even those spoken with the best intentions come across wrong. God's the One who knows what others need, I pray we will go to Him before we attempt to utter words that are helpful. May He give us discernment. 

I don't know the struggle you bring as you read these words, but God does and I've been reminded the best encouragement I can offer comes through prayer. I can lift my loved ones to the Lord, and so can you. So with that, words from the Word lifted in prayer for you as you walk thru life...

Dear Heavenly Father,
Lord, You alone are God. You are good, You are powerful and You are loving. You are Elohim, our creator, El Roi, the God who sees us and our Abba, the Father who loves us. Help me remember who You are. Lord you created this world, but pain and pressure, sin and sickness, death and doubt were not part of your original plan. Help me remember this world is not my home, but You have me where I'm at for a reason. You are using everything, the good and the bad, for my good and Your glory. 

Lord, help me not to be surprised by my trials. Your Word tells us in this world we will have trouble. Help me embrace those struggles, count it all joy and even rejoice in my suffering knowing suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And Father that hope does not disappoint us. 

In those hard times, when life overwhelms, worry weighs me down, anxiety troubles my heart and depression leaves me in the pit help me fix my eyes on You. You Lord are the author and perfecter of my faith. You are writing my story, your grace saves me and sustains me. Help me receive the help you offer and strength You provide. When I am weak, You are strong. Help me stop trying to fix problems myself and instead rely on You. May I cast all my cares on You. May I trust You with all of my heart. May I acknowledge You in all my ways. May I come to You when I need rest. 

Father God, no matter how I feel may I cling to Truth and trust Your promises - your promises to never leave me or forsake me, Your promise to finish every good work You've begun, Your promise to be faithful, Your promise to fill me with Your Holy Spirit, Your promises to provide and heal, Your promise to supply all my needs according to your great riches, Your promise for wisdom if I would only ask, and Your promise to keep me in perfect peace if I keep my mind on You. You are a good, good Father. I want to believe everything Your Word says, but Lord in this struggle I ask you to help my unbelief. 

Lord, it feels as though I'm passing through the waters...help me remember you are with me. When I walk through the river, remind me you won't allow it sweep over me. When I walk through the fire don't let me forget - You will not allow me to be burned. 

I ask You to fill me with your Spirit and guide me with Your Truth. Your Word equips and directs...lead me to passages You know I need. Give me a hunger for Your Word. Your Spirit sustains...fill me with it so I can press on. Your power is beyond comprehension...help me trust in it and depend on it, so in me and through me You can do more than I can ask or imagine. 

Jehovah I ask you to cover me with your feathers and help me take refuge under your wings. Lord, I'm seeking You and ask You to deliver me from my fears and wrong thoughts. Father God, I pray you would make your face shine upon me and give me peace. I love You Lord and pray this in your Son's precious and powerful name...the name above all names, Jesus...Amen

Friend, if you're in need of prayer leave a comment and I will lift you up by name. Blessings to you!