Prayer in Suffering
Week 13 Day 7

34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Luke 23:34

If any of you have seen the Passion of the Christ, this quote probably left a vivid image in your mind. Even as Jesus is hanging on the cross and after being brutally tortured, he prays for the people who did this to him. How amazing would the world be if we all did that?
In his darkest hour, Jesus relied on God for strength, and in our darkest hours, if we rely on God for the same, in is an extremely empowering experience. When we turn to God in our lowest of lows (as many of us often do,) God can build us back up. He can build as back up when we are at nothing, with a foundation solely on him. Overcoming struggles and times of suffering with him as our friend standing by, only prepares us and strengthens us to get through more.

Reflection Questions

1. Was there a time of suffering in your life that you really turned to God for help?
2. How did that feel, how did that help at that very moment? How did that help in the future?

Take the Next Step

Let me just leave you this week with a poem that you may already know, that was on my dad’s dresser for as long as I can remember. Pray about it and remember that Jesus is always with us

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Scenes from his life flashed across the sky
and he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
one belonging to him and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life had flashed before him,
he recalled that at the lowest and saddest times of his life
there was only one set of footprints.

Dismayed, he asked, "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you'd walk with me all the way.
I don't understand why, when I needed you most,
you would leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious child.
I love you and I would never leave you.

During your times of trial and suffering
when you saw only one set of footprints...

That was when I carried you."