Sometimes life overwhelms. All appears lost. Evil thrives. The tragic and hopeless state of our fallen world weighs down my heavy heart.

Lifestyle addictions, relationship issues, work problems, and illness. I long to offer comfort – to be comforted.  But how? Even when I am trusted enough to be welcomed into a friend’s pain, I come up empty.

Anything I can say sounds like a weak platitude.

Then I remember.

I am not the deliverer. I need only to direct others to the Deliverer, to remind myself where I find deliverance.

I can sit beside them and hold their hand. I can intercede on their behalf. I can share my tears and cover them in prayer. That is my place, words of prayer not platitudes.

I pray the Word of God will comfort them and I allow the Word of God to comfort me. I ask for wisdom from God, given through the Holy Spirit, so we can walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. I pray our lives will be fully pleasing to God, ever productive, and in a state of continual learning. I ask for God’s power to live such a life and for patience, endurance, and joy.

I give thanks to God for delivering us from darkness and for transferring us into the kingdom of His beloved Son. It is in Christ that we find redemption and forgiveness. In Christ alone, there is victory. In Christ alone. (Col 1:9-14)

Even when I have nothing, I have everything. Filled with the fullness of God. Overflowing in His love. Trusting in His plan.

This is my prayer, for me and for you.