PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
I have never understood the challenge of this verse more than I do now.
The events we’ve been through since Sunday have shed new light on it.
And as terrifying as it was for us, I feel kind of guilty for everything.
After all, I have friends whose children had far worse diagnoses and who had far worse outcomes.
I am sitting beside my son right now who is hopefully going home today.
But I have a new, higher level of sympathy for any parent whose child is in intensive care or whose child is hooked up to a machine that breathes for them.
It’s horrible to watch your child suffer.
And God knows that better than any of us.
He watched His son die on a cross for us and then has the heartache of our willful rejection, disobedience, and sin.
I know that there’s truth in Romans 8:28 and that for whatever we go through, God’s going to use it for good.
But when it comes to our signature verse today, I can’t tell you that I did a great job of rejoicing in hope…
I can’t tell you I was patient in the tribulation…
I can vouch for constant prayer, but it was more of a repetitive “please God, help!” kind of prayer.
I can also say that there’s a lot of truth in the wisdom of storing up God’s word in your hears (Psalm 119:11).
But since I stink at memorizing verses, I’m very grateful for my Bible app!!!
And I’m so grateful for your prayers.
I posted an update yesterday afternoon, but there are literally not enough words to thank you all for praying.
Literally, prayers from around the globe.
A Facebook friend in Australia sent me a voice message and she prayed.
(All prayers are beautiful to God, but I think prayers are extra pretty in an Australian accent!)
I’m humbled and grateful.
Today, as you pray, please know that I’m borrowing Paul’s words to the Philippians, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you” (Philippians 1:3).
Thank the Holy Spirit for opportunities to grow closer to Him and learn how to lean on Him in everything we do.
