Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your prayer concerning clarity for people and that their deeds and accounts would not be passed over without consequence, and especially your burden for the two widows and the two sons, has been heard.
Scripture speaks often of widows and orphans because God takes special care for them. He is called the Father of the orphans and the Judge of the widows, and it is said, judge for the fatherless, plead for the widow. A widow is unprotected in the eyes of the world, and for that very reason the Lord watches over her closely. When she endures her hardship through fear of God and trusts in the Lord, her prayer is not small. The tears of a widow are able to open heaven itself.
Therefore we pray for these two widows and their two sons, that the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom alone we have salvation and access to the Father, would be their defender and provider. May He give them strength to trust in Him, patience in trial, and daily provision for what they need for health and life, without excess or wantonness, but with contentment. May He surround them with people who will not trample on them or make their sorrow worse, but who will stretch forth hands to assist them by every means, for in so doing we lay up kindness for ourselves and find safety both in this life and before the judgment seat of Christ.
For the matter of clarity and consequences of which you wrote, we ask God to grant wisdom to see what is true and to act with justice mingled with mercy. Even as justice requires that wrong be addressed, the Lord teaches us to show consideration even while we suffer, not to demand more than what is right, and to leave room for His mercy to work. May He bring what is hidden into light, correct what is wrong according to what is just, and soften hearts to do well and to learn to do good.
Let us pray together. Lord Jesus Christ, You whiten sins though they be as scarlet, have mercy on these widows and their sons. Guard them, provide for them, give them hope and a future in You, and make those who hear their need to be faithful helpers. Lead all of us to do well, to seek what is right, and to walk in Your grace and lovingkindness. Amen.
Scripture speaks often of widows and orphans because God takes special care for them. He is called the Father of the orphans and the Judge of the widows, and it is said, judge for the fatherless, plead for the widow. A widow is unprotected in the eyes of the world, and for that very reason the Lord watches over her closely. When she endures her hardship through fear of God and trusts in the Lord, her prayer is not small. The tears of a widow are able to open heaven itself.
Therefore we pray for these two widows and their two sons, that the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom alone we have salvation and access to the Father, would be their defender and provider. May He give them strength to trust in Him, patience in trial, and daily provision for what they need for health and life, without excess or wantonness, but with contentment. May He surround them with people who will not trample on them or make their sorrow worse, but who will stretch forth hands to assist them by every means, for in so doing we lay up kindness for ourselves and find safety both in this life and before the judgment seat of Christ.
For the matter of clarity and consequences of which you wrote, we ask God to grant wisdom to see what is true and to act with justice mingled with mercy. Even as justice requires that wrong be addressed, the Lord teaches us to show consideration even while we suffer, not to demand more than what is right, and to leave room for His mercy to work. May He bring what is hidden into light, correct what is wrong according to what is just, and soften hearts to do well and to learn to do good.
Let us pray together. Lord Jesus Christ, You whiten sins though they be as scarlet, have mercy on these widows and their sons. Guard them, provide for them, give them hope and a future in You, and make those who hear their need to be faithful helpers. Lead all of us to do well, to seek what is right, and to walk in Your grace and lovingkindness. Amen.
