Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15 NLT)
This time of year, social media is filled with the first day of school photos.
Some parents are happy to have their kids go off to school for the day. Others will miss hanging out with them.
And then there are those who are starting college for the first time. (I can’t imagine the shift of emotions that will be!)
Are some kids nervous or afraid? Sure
Are some students excited? Yes.
It is fair to say it is a mix of emotions for all!
But, there are those that are caught in my heart, like a tense muscle that cannot relax.
In your city, there may be a family that is mourning the recent loss of their child.
Their child was supposed to move up a grade this year or move on to college or a trade school.
Heavy on my heart is the family of a student who died last school year. Do you know of any families who are weeping while other families are happy at the start of this school year?
We can pray for the cheerful families as well as the ones in mourning.
God, thank you for this scripture showing us how to support those we live among. Families who are happy need others to be happy with them. And those who have reason to weep need to know people care.
Please comfort the families who are missing their child, who is supposed to be joining the rest of the kids at school. May they feel your love wrapped around them tightly.
Thank you for the families celebrating this new year of learning, growing, and developing new skills. May they feel you cheering on their child’s new goals.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
update
I am coming up on one year of consistently blogging! T H A N K Y O U for stopping by this year. It has meant so much.
This week’s blog post is, of course, about City Prayer. Are you finding these posts helpful in praying over your city?
bonus
We have strength God expects us to use!
This week, I came across Proverbs 24 verse 10 in my ESV bible. It says, If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
Ouch! Too many times, I have backed down under pressure. I didn’t like that realization. Then I began to think of times I have been strong and moved forward despite difficulties.
Have you felt faint in adversity? It can sound like this, “I don’t want to adult today.” Yikes!
And sometimes, we need to take it easy when the hit comes–so we can pray, regroup, and step past, over, or through the adversity.
Let’s not faint today but use our strength, knowing it will make us stronger.
last
Next week is usually the devotional review week. I will be reviewing a prayer book instead. I will let you know what it is today, in case you want to check it out early!
It is Pray A to Z, A Practical Guide to Pray for Your Community by Amelia Rhodes.
Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds!
Michele Marie Weisman
Photo by Ivan Aleksic on Unsplash (classroom)
Photo by Madison Oren on Unsplash (balloons)
Photo by Lance Grandahl on Unsplash (runners)
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
I prayed this morning for the teens I know who are moving into adulthood (college, workforce, and marriage) and the nineteen young children and two teachers lost this year in a horrific act of evil at Robb Elementary School. This tragedy may not be my adversity but it certainly makes me feel faint for these families. They need our prayers.
Great point, Dianne. It is humbling to know our prayers can provide strength for others.
Reaching out with a kind word, card or a hug to a neighbor that has experienced loss is a great way to let them know they are not alone. It helps build a stronger community when we reach out to our neighbors. I loved your prayers & will include them in my prayers tonight.
As for adversity, thanks for the encouragement to reach for our strength. God & our friends are always there to help us.
THANK YOU for your blog! I look forward to it each week. You share from your heart & are very honest & thoughtful. Thanks for sharing!
Judy, you are so right, doing something for someone who is hurting is a powerful way to show them love without having to have answers. Thanks for joining in prayer. ❤️
I am grateful this blog is a place you enjoy coming to. You are a blessing. Thanks for your supportive words! ❤️
Such things as prayers for others, whether or not you know those people, are important to incorporate into your everyday life. Then they become habit. When you hear the siren of an emergency in the neighborhood, you don’t even pause in what your doing: the words automatically pop into your mind as you say, “Lord, protect those emergency workers, and Lord, give comfort and healing to those whom they are rushing to assist.” I have found this to be the easiest habit to establish, for a change!
Hi Sally. Thanks so much for stopping by. I love your prayer and your point about being constantly ready to pray as you go about your day. I never thought of it as a habit, but I love thinking of it that way.