Prayers marked URGENT

Some of us are so pressed down right now we cannot breathe, let alone pray. Even the act of opening one’s mouth to pray brings tears and sobs choked in the throat. These are the prayer requests marked urgent.

Some of them are so desperate that they cannot be uttered.

Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

For troubles without number surround me;my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,and my heart fails within me.

Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me.

Psalms 40:11-13 (NIV)

We are all so very broken right now, like the land of misfit toys.

I read so many despondent request for prayer, but what of those not brave enough to ask? Are their prayers any less urgent? This is the story of our unbecoming, of our learning not to be afraid and to trust that those who love us are always praying on our behalf.

But you? Are you praying without ceasing? For those who struggle and for those whose struggles you may not know? We are called to bear one another’s burdens, thereby fulfilling the Law of Christ. But do we, really?

We gotta do better. We are sinking.

The lack of genuine community among those in need may prevents us from getting the healing we so desperately desire. It’s about preparation, or in this case, being properly prayed up. For example, you can’t work out if you’re not properly dressed (well, I guess you could, but it wouldn’t be optimally effective.)

As children of the Most High God, we are never alone, and because of our redemption, the power is within us. We just can’t get (or stay) lost in the woods.

So, I’m getting out of the woods, and turning up my radar. I want to be ready to serve, and ready to encourage, exhort, and support somebody else whom I might not even know needs me.

Why, because all of us, all things considered, have it really good; our cups runneth over, abundantly.

And remembering the fullness of our lives, even in the depths of our despair, we can say with authority, that God is Good.