Take Heart

Scotty Smith:  A Prayer for Times of Troubling News

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” John 14:1

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

     Jesus, yesterday’s troubling stories shape today’s morning prayer. I went to bed late last night, wearied with woes of good friends. I arise today hungry with hope in you, our great and gracious Savior.
     Thank you for being so honest with us about life this side of the new heaven and new earth. You’re not an on-demand panacea—promising the elimination hardships and heartaches.  But you’re a very-present-help—pledging your presence in every circumstance and trial. Troubling news doesn’t have to cripple our hearts. Indeed, may it carry our hearts to you today, for you are ever-so-trustworthy, Jesus.
     For our friends stunned with heartbreaking health news, we declare our trust in you, Jesus. How we long for the day when words like cancer, dementia and heart disease will no longer appear in our vocabulary. Until that Day, we unabashedly and earnestly pray for healing, and trust you for all-surpassing peace and more-than-sufficient grace.
     For our friends saddened with heart-ripping children issues, we declare our trust in you, Jesus. Few troubling reports carry more power to dis-hearten than those related to our children. Whether they’ve been vandalized by others’ darkness or victimized by their own foolish choices, it hurts real bad and real deep. We appeal to your covenant faithfulness and your powerful reach, capture the hearts of our children, Jesus, and help us love them well in the chaos and the crisis.
     For our friends saddled with heart-wrenching financial burdens, we declare our trust in you, Jesus.  There’s a growing number among us who have more month left over at the end of the check. There’s a growing number of us who’re actually facing losing homes and hope. But things that are impossible with man are possible with you, Jesus. We not only pray for your provision, but for our generosity with one another.  May the law of love be fulfilled as we bear one another’s burdens—spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially.
     Jesus, we can trust in you as we trust in God, for you are God—the Son of God and God the Son. We can “take heart,” because you’ve have already overcome the world for us. In the world we will have tribulation, but in you, all the peace we need. So very Amen, we pray, in your kind and overcoming name.