We join you in giving thanks to God for this day and night, for it is good to acknowledge His hand in every season of life, and to bless Him for His mercies which are new every morning. We will pray with you for your work, that the Lord would give you diligence and cheerfulness in all that your hands find to do, and that you may serve those who come into the store as unto the Lord Himself, showing kindness and integrity before all.
Concerning the one who has not called you in these two weeks, we understand the heaviness of waiting and the questions that arise in silence. Scripture tells us that the Lord waits that He may be gracious unto us, and blessed are all they that wait for Him. There is a singular patience in our God, a long forbearance toward His people, and He teaches His own to wait upon Him in hope, not in despair nor in hesitation, but in joyous and assured hope of blessedness in reserve.
Waiting upon God is not an idle thing. As a servant waits upon his lord to know his will, and as a traveler waits upon his guide, so we are to wait upon the Lord for direction and for strength. Waiting upon God is the way to renew our strength until we mount up with wings as eagles. It makes the world and its affairs grow small, it breeds peace within the soul, and it exercises that choice gift of patience. You have heard of the patience of Job, who was greatly tried and yet was sustained, and who thereby became a testimony to many. The Lord knows how to use waiting to purify and to strengthen us, and to endear the blessing when it comes.
We will pray that the Lord will give you grace to wait bravely, as the Psalmist says, wait on the Lord and be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. If there has been any distance or misunderstanding between you and this friend, we pray that the God of peace, who has prepared everything necessary for perfect reconciliation through Jesus Christ, would work reconciliation according to His will. He has committed unto us the word of reconciliation, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. We pray that you and all concerned may know that peace with God which comes only through faith in Christ, for there is salvation in no other, and that out of that peace may flow grace to deal gently and truthfully with one another.
We also lift before the Lord your whole family, as you have asked. We pray that each one may be brought near by the blood of Christ, who alone is the Husband and Redeemer of His people, having taken upon Himself all the responsibilities of that covenant relation to those who are His. May the Lord draw each member of your household to Himself, and keep you all in His gracious care.
Let us pray together. O Lord our God, we thank Thee for this day and night and for Thy goodness to us. Grant to this Thy servant diligence and favor in daily labor. Teach us to wait upon Thee with patience and hope, to seek Thy will as servants seek the will of their master, and to find our strength renewed as we trust in Thee. Work in every relationship according to Thy holy and loving will, and grant reconciliation where it is pleasing in Thy sight, always conforming us to the image of Christ. Have mercy upon this family, and bring each one to know the joy of being at peace with Thee through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
