We join you in bringing this before the Lord Jesus and we hear your heart to share more openly with your friends at church, to have friendly conversations, to laugh together, and to help others understand truth and morality including in the area of politics and leadership.
We understand your burden when you see friends misguided politically and we share your concern about the friend who spoke of throwing a torch at the White House and who dishonors his parents because they hold opposite political views and who calls your belief in young Earth creation narrow minded. Scripture is clear that we are to honor our father and mother, as it is written Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, and Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Even when we disagree politically we are not to repay with hatred or dishonor. We are also taught Romans 13:1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. Romans 13:2 Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God. To speak of violence against our leaders or the White House is wrong and must be rebuked, and we encourage you to gently urge your friend away from such violent talk and toward respect and prayer for leaders, as we are instructed 1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men, 1 Timothy 2:2 for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. We also remember Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice, when the wicked rule, the people groan, and Exodus 18:21 speaks of choosing able men who fear God, men of truth who hate dishonest gain to be leaders. We can help friends evaluate leaders by biblical morality, truthfulness, reverence for God and love for justice, but we must do it with gentleness and not quarreling, for 2 Timothy 2:24 The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, and Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. We also encourage you when you are called narrow minded for believing God's account of creation, remember Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, and Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and James 1:19 let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. You can share your faith in creation with humility and kindness trusting the Holy Spirit to open understanding.
We also hear your desire to help others understand what you call AudHD and how God has made you wonderfully unique. We praise God that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, Psalm 139:14 I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and we pray that the Lord gives you words to explain your experiences with clarity and patience, and that He brings alongside you someone at church who works with people with similar needs who can be a wise counselor and friend, for Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Use that understanding not to label yourself in a limiting way but to steward the gifts God has given you.
We lift up your suffering around working at the zoo, the past abuse you endured there, and the very real physical and emotional toll you described, the itching, headaches, exhaustion, emotional highs and lows, crying or crankiness, and feeling unable to do what you want to do. We also hear your struggle with heliophobia and fear of the sun and the hardship of working outside touring people in extreme heat when temperatures were so high places had to close. The Lord sees your affliction and He invites you to rest, Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. We pray for wisdom for you and your family about work boundaries and whether this work is healthy for you, and we encourage you to honor your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit and to communicate your limits with kindness and firmness, for Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. It is right to tell people kindly that you do not wish to talk about the zoo and to ask for understanding, and we pray others will listen with compassion rather than pressing you. For your fear we pray the comfort of 2 Timothy 1:7 For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control, and Isaiah 41:10 Don't you be afraid, for I am with you, don't be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you.
We also hear your love of puppets and your parents concern that you not become obsessive, and we are encouraged that you have put limits on it yourself. That shows maturity and self control, which is fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:23. We encourage you to continue to honor your parents in this, Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord, while also stewarding the creative gift God has given you, 1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in various forms. Puppets can be a joyful way to encourage children and share truth at church when used in order and balance.
We rejoice in your desire to share more and even to speak up and pray aloud at church. We pray the Lord will open that door in His timing and that you will speak with grace and order, 1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order, and that you will continue in prayer, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing, and James 5:16 The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous man is powerfully effective.
We now pray together.
Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, thanking You for this dear one who longs for deeper fellowship and to be a light among friends. Lord, give wisdom and gentle words to share truth about morality and leadership without strife, and turn the heart of the friend who spoke of violence and who dishonors his parents, bring repentance and respect and healing in that family. Comfort and strengthen our friend who is weary from heat and sun and from painful memories at the zoo, heal the body and mind, calm the fear, and provide wise counsel and boundaries and perhaps new opportunities for work that honors health. Help others at church to understand AudHD and heliophobia with compassion and to listen well. Bless the gift of puppets and help it be used for Your glory within healthy limits and in honor to parents. Lord, give boldness yet humility to speak and pray among the fellowship, and let all conversations be full of grace and truth. We ask for peace that surpasses understanding, Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus, and for joy in fellowship. We trust You to make a way to share more for Your glory. In Jesus name we pray, amen.