A Prayer for Today

Today is a really important day for a friend of our family. He is having brain surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. Jordan is a husband, a father of two and recently was recently commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corp. Shortly after his commissioning it was discovered that he has a brain tumor and needs immediate surgery to remove the mass and biopsy. Today is the day. Jordan and his wife love the Lord and are steadfastly holding onto him during the process. Would you pray for them today.

I have often wondered how I should pray in these situations. I think it is important to pray scripture and so here is how I have prayed for Jordan and Tammy.

1. That they would give their anxieties to God. "...casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7)."

These situations are stressful and can be taxing physically, emotionally, relationally and socially. God invites us not to internalize or hold onto our fears but to dump them on him.

2. That God would give them peace. "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7)."

God's response when we turn our burdens over to him is to give us peace, comfort and a sense that he is in control.

3. That God would do good in this situation. "Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! (Psalm 125:4)

In Psalm 125 we see that God surrounds his people like the mountains that surround Jerusalem with protection. And we learn from Israel that is right to ask God for his goodness to spill over onto his people. I don't exactly know what that goodness looks like, but it should result in a joy in the Lord (see yesterday's post). I pray that Jordan will be able to live a healthy and long life with his family and to share for a long time of the goodness of God that he experienced today.

Lord, We believe in you. We trust you. We ask for you to let your goodness be seen today so that more might find their joy in you! Amen