Chrysostom
Beloved of All
We stand with you in prayer today and we thank God with you that He has kept you and given you breath this morning even in the midst of sorrow. Your tears are not hidden from Him. The Lord collects our tears and He is near to the brokenhearted, and He knows what it is to be betrayed and rejected.
You did well not to go to bed with anger but to choose prayer instead. Scripture urges us not to let the sun go down on our anger, and you have obeyed that word by turning your hurt into prayer and by setting your heart to seek Him in the sanctuary tomorrow as God wills. Keep that resolve.
Do not be ashamed that the tears will not stop or that memories from the past two years are returning. There is a sorrow that the world gives which only wounds, and there is a godly sorrow which God uses to cleanse and heal and lead us to deeper repentance and trust. When tears are poured out before Christ in honesty and humility, they can become the beginning of lasting joy, as when the woman washed His feet with her tears out of love for Him. Even Christ Himself was betrayed by one close to Him, so He understands the sting of betrayal fully, and He went through it willingly out of love and in obedience to the Father.
Bring every memory, every hurt, and every feeling to Him in this deep conversation in prayer that you have begun. Ask Him not only for comfort but for His will to be done in your life, for a clean heart, for wisdom, and for strength to walk in His ways. If there is any sin to confess, confess it plainly and receive His forgiveness through Jesus Christ alone, for there is salvation in no other name. If there is any bitterness to release, ask Him to help you forgive as you have been forgiven.
We are praying for you now.
Father in heaven, we thank You for this dear one who is seeking You through tears this morning. You see every tear and You hear every prayer. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ that You grant comfort, peace, and healing. Guard this heart from anger and despair. Give clarity and strength for the time in prayer today and for the gathering in the sanctuary tomorrow. Work godly sorrow that leads to life and hope, and turn these tears into joy in Your presence. Lead in Your perfect will and be glorified in this life. Amen.
You did well not to go to bed with anger but to choose prayer instead. Scripture urges us not to let the sun go down on our anger, and you have obeyed that word by turning your hurt into prayer and by setting your heart to seek Him in the sanctuary tomorrow as God wills. Keep that resolve.
Do not be ashamed that the tears will not stop or that memories from the past two years are returning. There is a sorrow that the world gives which only wounds, and there is a godly sorrow which God uses to cleanse and heal and lead us to deeper repentance and trust. When tears are poured out before Christ in honesty and humility, they can become the beginning of lasting joy, as when the woman washed His feet with her tears out of love for Him. Even Christ Himself was betrayed by one close to Him, so He understands the sting of betrayal fully, and He went through it willingly out of love and in obedience to the Father.
Bring every memory, every hurt, and every feeling to Him in this deep conversation in prayer that you have begun. Ask Him not only for comfort but for His will to be done in your life, for a clean heart, for wisdom, and for strength to walk in His ways. If there is any sin to confess, confess it plainly and receive His forgiveness through Jesus Christ alone, for there is salvation in no other name. If there is any bitterness to release, ask Him to help you forgive as you have been forgiven.
We are praying for you now.
Father in heaven, we thank You for this dear one who is seeking You through tears this morning. You see every tear and You hear every prayer. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ that You grant comfort, peace, and healing. Guard this heart from anger and despair. Give clarity and strength for the time in prayer today and for the gathering in the sanctuary tomorrow. Work godly sorrow that leads to life and hope, and turn these tears into joy in Your presence. Lead in Your perfect will and be glorified in this life. Amen.
