THANKFUL

Friday, October 18, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, quicken our spirits so we feel your compassion for those whose inner man suffers from past wounds. They may mask their pain with a fake smile plastered across their face, yet their spirit weeps from painful memories that desperately need healing. Lord, show us how to be kind to one another, to fulfill what you commanded, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” For many, we find this task easy since our wounded inner man can identify with our neighbor’s wounded inner man. Graciously, you are fully aware of the pain inflicted on us and what we go through in this fallen world.

Why would you want to become like us? Why would the Lord of Glory, the Creator of the universe, the great I AM, want to come down here, live as a human, suffer injustices, have lies spread about you, be unjustly accused and crucified for our sins? Hebrews chapter four states plainly you are not out of touch with our reality. The only answer must be your unexplainable love—you can empathize with all people. We’re not stuck in our pain without God knowing how we feel, what we go through, because you Jesus went through the same things. And because all who placed their faith in you have your Spirit living within, we can empathize with our neighbor, able to love them as you do.

You know the pains we suffer. Bring healing, wholeness and mental health to all who face overwhelming challenges, greater than they can handle. May your grace sustain them, may their hope never fade, and your peace drive any fears or doubts away. Even though at times we fail to believe, you know our weaknesses and your presence never leaves us. Help our unbelief and build our faith. Let us speak your words of healing to all sickness, physical and mental.

Forgive our sins. Heal our nation, show us how to be kind to one another, care as you care, love as you love.

Thankful you can empathize with our broken spirits in this fallen world, Lord Jesus. Amen.