Glorifying God in Grief

Lord, I come to you in confusion over the death of my friend's daughter. I can't even imagine her grief at such a loss, and the family's grief....and the grief of the two little children left behind. My mind tries to sort it out, but of course, I cannot. You are sovereign, Lord, and we must trust in your goodness and your plan. The lyrics come to mind, "I am not skilled to understand, what God has willed and God has planned." I prayed for a miracle of physical healing, but you called her to you instead. Lord, I yearn to know your plan in this. But, then, that is making it about me.....and surely it is not about me. The answer to my prayer was "no," and you are all knowing. Today I realized, you are more concerned about her spirit and the drawing of her soul to you. In this death, somehow, you are to be glorified. Show me how, Father God, to glorify you in this loss of Kristine.
Psalm 86:12
"I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever."

Goof morning, Lord.

Lord, I come to you this morning, falling on your grace. I am physically depleted, mentally overwhelmed, and emotionally burdened. I am up talking to you, asking for your help in facing my day. Move my feet forward toward what you would have me do. Give me your words to speak. Free my mind of the endless details circling there. Feed my physical body with healing foods, so I have your strength. Help me discern my priorities, and lift the feeling of burden I have been carrying for so many dear ones close to me. Comfort me, slow me down, and use me to bless others through your Holy Spirit. I thank you for your promises. I praise you for your Word, and the truth on which my faith stands. You are a big god, with an endless love for us. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord!

San Bruno

Lord, my heart is heavy with the news of the devastation in San Bruno. There are no words of comfort to offer the community members who are dealing with this loss. As they return to their neighborhood, and face the grief, I pray that you are walking in before them, with your Holy protection and comfort. Surround them with your grace. Meet thier needs before they even know them, Lord.
Matthew 5: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Hope

Ephesians 3:20 says, "God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes!" Lord I believe you! Help me erase any doubts. I come to you today asking for complete healing for Kristine, and for complete recovery from today's surgery. I pray for her family to have hope, and I pray for Kristine to have courage. I pray for the doctors and their wisdom, and I pray for the chemotherapy to be effective. I pray for the resilience of her children. I ask you to completely eliminate any harmful cells in her body. I boldly ask you to do what only you can do. And I ask these things in your precious name.

Little Pearls

Dear Lord, I have been thinking a lot recently about my new little students. Now that I have the list, I can pray for them by name. I pray that you will give me the capacity to love and the wisdom to teach each one of them! I pray that I will look upon them, every day, as your children. I pray that with each irritant, I will see the opportunity to be the shaper of a pearl. Lord, give me fresh enthusiasm, give me quiet in the midst of the daily rush, give me the competence to meet each need. Smile from within me, Lord, so they may see your reflection in my face. I pray for their homes and their families, that they be love centered and responsibility driven. I pray that I can work with each parent on behalf of their child in a way that empowers them towrd their maximum potential. Hear my prayer, oh Lord. Guide me in my serving you through my role in this classroom. Ephesians 4:16b : "...when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Laughter

Proverbs 14:13 "Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief."
Job 8:21 "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy."
Lord, today I just thank you for laughter! I have been thinking about laughter for a couple of days, and every time I do, I start giggling again. I have seen a couple of really funny things! And, how refreshing! Lord, there is grief this summer, as people close to me have left life here, and gone to you. There are serious prayer requests that I pray over, as many others close to me wait answers to our prayers. But, Lord, I have laughed out loud, something I don't often do. I thank you for laughter! I thank you for people that have the gift of being super creative and funny. Let me pass on the joy of laughter, as it soothes the body and lightens the heart. And when I laugh, let me turn my thoughts to you, remembering I am rooted in you.