A Prayer to Be a Comfort to Your Friend - Your Daily Prayer - January 24
A Prayer to Be a Comfort to Your Friend
By: Jessica Van Roekel
Bible Reading: For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus. - 2 Corinthians 7:5-6, NIV
Read or Listen Below:
I gathered my littles near for morning story time with a small smile even though the grumps threatened to overtake me. This mothering gig was rewarding but exhausting. I opened the book while my good friend slipped unannounced through the front door for a surprise visit. My smile grew when I saw her pop into my living room and the grumps receded. I finished the story and then set my kids up for playtime while she and I visited. Her friendly face was the comfort my mama’s heart needed.
The comfort of a good friend cannot be underestimated, and Paul found this in Titus. Paul’s life held blessings and hardships. His calling led him into danger and into successes. He experienced enemies from fellow followers of Christ and from those who opposed his message. He came close to death several times and spent years in prison. His life was not easy, but he never wavered in his commitment to the Lord.
Like Paul, our journeys through life will unfold with difficulties around every corner. Our days can hold the monotony of the same routine or take us through indescribable joys and devastating heartbreaks. We will also deal with the inner challenges of trust or doubt, the worship of idols or of God, and the choice between hope or despair. Paul dealt with the stress and anxiety of ministry and shares how he had a hard time in Macedonia. But then Titus came bearing a good report about the Corinthians. Titus had news about their earnest desire, repentance, and renewed zeal for God’s work in their hearts. This comforted Paul greatly.
Even though Paul’s circumstances didn’t change, he experienced comfort by the presence of his friend. For me, mothering didn’t suddenly stop being exhausting with my friend’s visit, but my heart received the comfort of her presence. We can be a comfort for each other when we stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit because he may be leading us to a friend in need. My friend was just as busy with motherhood as I was, but she felt the Lord leading her to stop by my home. She didn’t know how much I needed encouragement that morning, but God did.
God is merciful and compassionate. It is in his nature to comfort those who are troubled or depressed. Second Corinthians 1:3-5 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”
The difficulty we face in serving Christ, whether it’s ministering to our spouses, parenting our children, or bringing our best to our workplace, we will experience the comfort and nearness of God in our lives. We can be a dedicated, God-honoring follower of Christ and still experience heartache and pain while being right in the middle of God’s will for us. He is our comfort, and he’s kind to send people to comfort each other.
Let’s Pray:
Holy God,
Thank you for being the Father of compassion and all comfort. Lord, sometimes we need comfort because we messed up big time, and other times, we need it because of something someone said or did. Conflict happens in life, but an absence of conflict does not mean you are not there for us. You send Titus’s to us, and we experience comfort.
Help us be a Titus to others. Develop within our hearts a sensitivity for the Holy Spirit’s leading to comfort our friends. We all experience outer conflict and inner fears. Keep us sensitive to those around us and join in your plan to be comforting. Fill us with the right words and actions to console and encourage. Let our comforting presence encourage and strengthen our friends.
We echo Paul’s prayer in Romans 15:5, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,” so that we can “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). Give us eyes to see who of our friends needs comfort from us.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Photo Credit: ©Getty-AntonioGuillem
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