14 For this reason I fall on my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its true name. 16 I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves, 17 and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, 18 so that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love. 19 Yes, may you come to know his love—although it can never be fully known—and so be completely filled with the very nature of God. Ephesians 3:14
This morning I was thinking of my favorite movie of all time.'Its a wonderful Life' has been a time honored tradition in our family as long as I can remember. A story about George Bailey discovering that while he was going through hard times he still had friends praying for him. He was wealthy not because he had material possessions, but he was wealthy because he had many friends he had helped over the years.
People in the throes of their grief often feel alone, defeated as though God had abandoned them. Yet, what they do not see are the people praying for them. When a family loses a child it is quite common for folks who aren't use to praying to pray for them.
If only those who are hurting could see the power of those prayers flowing up to heaven. If only they could see God's hand in orchestrating the events to help that person heal! That is the awesome beauty of being part of God's family where we can experience the prayers of many people in our time of need and where we can pray for others just entering their own valley.
Prayer is a time honored tradition established when God paid the penalty of our sin through his son Jesus Christ. Although Christ rose again from the dead and established himself on heaven's throne He gave us his holy spirit which reminds us that He is as close a simple prayer.
No matter where you are in your grief you are not alone knowing that you have God in heaven hearing the prayers of many strangers and friends on your behalf. You are rich, not because of a 6 digit portfolio, but you re rich because of what Jesus did for you on the cross and because of the prayers of many.
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