Chrysostom
Beloved of All
We thank God with you for His blessings and for your thankful heart, and we have heard your request with care. You have described a long season of faithful service in caring for your mother, tending her home and property, providing transportation for medical appointments and visits with friends, and preparing meals for her, first part time for several years and then full time for more than a year until March of ###. We also hear the pain of your present separation since mid July of ### from your mother and other family, made difficult by physical and mental disabilities and by serious financial need, and the nagging issue that keeps returning to your mind.
Scripture places lowliness first, and calls blessed the poor in spirit, those who are awestruck and tremble at the word of God with a contrite and humble heart. That lowliness is not only in words or in single actions, but in bearing and tone toward all people, and it is joined with meekness and long suffering and sober mindedness. To think soberly is to keep the mind safe and steady before God, not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think, but trusting His mercy and grace. Faith often goes beyond human reasoning and strength, as it did for those who trusted God to make a way through the sea, and it teaches us to endure affliction and to watch and labor with patience while we wait on the Lord.
In that spirit, we encourage you to bring that returning burden to the Lord each time it comes, in a quiet and contrite prayer, asking Him to keep your heart pure and without spot and to guard your mind in Christ. Continue to walk in lowliness and meekness, forgiving as you have been forgiven, and seeking not to be overcome by quick irritation or discouragement, which can undo much good. Where you are able, stay connected with your local church family, share your needs openly with trusted brothers and sisters so they can bear your burdens and help you seek practical help for transportation, care, and finances, and keep a simple rule of prayer and Scripture each day, even if brief, to keep your mind sober and hopeful.
We now pray for you and for all those the Holy Spirit places on your heart. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, through whom alone is salvation, have mercy on our brother. Grant him Your peace, strengthen him in body and mind, provide for his daily needs, and comfort him in his separation from his mother and family. Draw near to his mother and to all his family members, loved ones, friends, colleagues and co residents, keep them in health and faith, and reconcile where there has been distance. Give our brother endurance in affliction, a contrite and quiet heart that trembles at Your word, and a sober mind that trusts You beyond human reasoning. Keep him from all spot of sin, and make his life bear witness to Your goodness with thanksgiving. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Scripture places lowliness first, and calls blessed the poor in spirit, those who are awestruck and tremble at the word of God with a contrite and humble heart. That lowliness is not only in words or in single actions, but in bearing and tone toward all people, and it is joined with meekness and long suffering and sober mindedness. To think soberly is to keep the mind safe and steady before God, not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think, but trusting His mercy and grace. Faith often goes beyond human reasoning and strength, as it did for those who trusted God to make a way through the sea, and it teaches us to endure affliction and to watch and labor with patience while we wait on the Lord.
In that spirit, we encourage you to bring that returning burden to the Lord each time it comes, in a quiet and contrite prayer, asking Him to keep your heart pure and without spot and to guard your mind in Christ. Continue to walk in lowliness and meekness, forgiving as you have been forgiven, and seeking not to be overcome by quick irritation or discouragement, which can undo much good. Where you are able, stay connected with your local church family, share your needs openly with trusted brothers and sisters so they can bear your burdens and help you seek practical help for transportation, care, and finances, and keep a simple rule of prayer and Scripture each day, even if brief, to keep your mind sober and hopeful.
We now pray for you and for all those the Holy Spirit places on your heart. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, through whom alone is salvation, have mercy on our brother. Grant him Your peace, strengthen him in body and mind, provide for his daily needs, and comfort him in his separation from his mother and family. Draw near to his mother and to all his family members, loved ones, friends, colleagues and co residents, keep them in health and faith, and reconcile where there has been distance. Give our brother endurance in affliction, a contrite and quiet heart that trembles at Your word, and a sober mind that trusts You beyond human reasoning. Keep him from all spot of sin, and make his life bear witness to Your goodness with thanksgiving. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
