I wonder how aware we are of what is making those around us happy or sad. We make a point of wishing people, “Happy Birthday”; or congratulating a family on the arrival of a new baby; or wishing people well who are starting a new school adventure or a new job position. We find ways to extend love and support when people are sick or when there has been loss of loved ones. Some people will be more inclined to let those around them know what is making them happy or sad. Some people will openly share what is making them pleased and grateful or anxious and troubled and others will choose to keep this to themselves. It requires prayerful sensitivity to find appropriate ways to follow the guidance of Scripture where we read, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15) In our desire to become more like Jesus, this is just what we need to do. And in order to be able to be happy with those who are happy and sad with those who are sad, we will need to see this possibility as both a gift and a responsibility. We can pray daily that God will give us eyes to see what is happening with others and hearts to care. If we are so caught up in our own concerns that we do not realize the concerns of others, then we can pray for God to change us. Sometimes when we do come to understand what someone else has been going through, we will exclaim, “I had no idea…” This week we are going to pray that we will want to know what is making others happy or sad. We will also pray that God will guide us in how to respond and to offer sincere “walking alongside” to people whatever they are facing. Please join in this week’s WEDNESDAY PRAYER TOGETHER tomorrow September 6th at 1 pm.
Praying for the compassion of Jesus as we respond lovingly to people however they are feeling, Pastor Lola
Our loving God, we begin by thanking You for the assurance that You always know what is causing us to feel happy or sad. You understand all of our emotions and you enter into both our celebrations and our sorrows. We want to be more like You in doing the same for others. We are praying that you will deepen our sensitivity and awareness to know how others are being affected by their circumstances. When people have promising and hopeful things happening for themselves or their families, we want to be delighted with them. We pray for this to be the real sentiment we have and not simply words we feel we should say. Guard us against wishing good for ourselves and getting focused on when things will work out in our own situations in ways that overshadow genuine gratitude that You are blessing others. As we embrace this responsibility, we want to discover You also rejoicing with those who rejoice. Thank You God for the blessings You are pouring into the lives of those we know. It is one thing to celebrate good times with people. We recognize that following Jesus asks more of us. We are also to share with others in their sad and desperate times. Please show us how to do this. We ask for Your forgiveness for the times we have not been available to mourn with those who mourn. In these moments, we consider the reasons there is mourning. Alert us to those who seriously ill and feeling worn out and hopeless. We recognize that those whose loved ones have ongoing health issues do at times become so overwhelmed. Remind us of those who have experienced broken relationships or job loss. We know that there are those who find certain days especially hard because a loved one died on that day or it is the birthday or anniversary of someone who has passed. These dates can be forgotten by us or go unnoticed, but we know for those who have held someone close that these dates can evoke painful memories. We need You God to continue to heighten our sensitivity both to what makes people happy and sad so that we can acknowledge this and join them in whatever is touching them deeply. As we learn more about rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn, we pray that we will keep encountering You accompanying those whom You call us to accompany. May our love for people confirm Your infinite love for them. In the Name of Christ our Saviour. AMEN