The man was a mess. He had just received terrible news. The hurt he suffered turned him inside out. He could not sleep. He wept for days. It began to influence his job. Not only was his career affected, but also his life. Ever got news that disturbed you like that? There’s a song with a line that says, “We’re all just a phone call from our knees.”
Nehemiah 1 tells his story and how he handled the bad news. Verses 4-6 says, “When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said, ‘O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God Who keeps His covenant of unfailing love with those who love Him and obey His commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for Your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against You.’”
Have you ever heard of premature nostalgia? That’s a practice whereby you think of what you’d do if you lost someone or something you love dearly. It can help us appreciate those around us who are beloved but less than perfect.
Let’s practice that regarding our family, friends or church for a minute.
Painful, right? What grief we’d bear if they were no more. I’ve actually experienced the closing of a beloved church. No scandal; just had to close the doors. No money to pay our excellent Godly pastor. It was like a death in the family. I grieved, literally grieved, for a couple years. Nothing could replace the worship, the joy, the fellowship, & the family I sometimes took for granted. Then a few years later, when I lost my mom unexpectedly, grief took on a whole new meaning. Folks tried to comfort me with “She’s in a better place.” While that is true, it sure didn’t feel good to pick up the phone, dial her number out of habit, and realize there’s no talking with her like I used to.
Now pray as though you are praying for the very existence of those you’d miss the most. Maybe it’s the family or friends you take for granted. Maybe it’s the church you believe will always be there.
Then ask God to show you the stuff you need to put away from your own life, so that He can answer your prayer and make you a tool for His use. And the next time you catch yourself lying awake with worry, turn that into prayer. Not a lot to ask if you imagine life without the support and love of those you care about most. God bless you as you become intentional in praying unselfishly for others!
S’more Matthew 7:7-11 James 5:13-18
Wow. Very powerful. I find myself going into a tailspin at times just thinking about losing my parents. Crying right now just typing about it. I will ask God to help me turn it into prayer. Thanks.
LikeLike
Excellent, Lynna.
LikeLike
I think praying in bed is a wonderful way to turn worry over to God. Sometimes when I wake up and can’t fall asleep, that is exactly what I do!
LikeLike