“The Comfort Of Our Hearts”

"The Comfort Of Our Hearts"   

   I know someone for whom you can pray.  Mr. Stevens attends our services at one of the local retirement communities where we conduct meetings.  He's in his 90s, served in World War II on the front lines of Italy, had a long career in manufacturing, and remains in relatively good health.  He greatly misses his wife, who went to be with the Lord last year after more than 6 decades of marriage to her husband.  "I had a wonderful wife" says Mr. Stevens of his beloved, whom he never mentions without shedding a tear.  He is a truly gracious and kind man who loves the Lord.  Frances and I are honored to know him.  

   I share this with you to request those prayers I mentioned for a man you would love if you were blessed to know him.  I would also suggest that praying for people like Mr. Stevens reminds me of the gift God has given to His trusting sons and daughters in Christ.  Indeed, if we could administer comfort to a fellow believer hurting due to loss, we would want to do so.  We can do so.  Or rather, God promises to act in love toward people as we pray for them.  He administers His provision according to His perfect wisdom, and we may never see how He answers the prayers we pray for the deep recesses of hurting hearts.  But He will,  just as He does in our own hearts when others pray for us.  The Apostle Paul referred to our Heavenly Father as "the God of all comfort" (II Corinthians 1:3).  By His very nature, our Lord loves to assuage the inner wounds inflicted upon us by a world in many ways as beautiful as a rose, but also characterized by painful thorns.  We play a blessed role in the matter as our Lord calls us to unite our hearts with Him for His ministry to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

   Mr. Stevens will greatly appreciate your prayers for him.  I appreciate them also.  Most importantly, the Heavenly Father who finds "delight" in the prayers of His children will also delight to respond to our expressed concern for our brother in Christ.  What a gift God gives to us in seeking His grace for each other.  As we frequently suggest, our Father loves to answer our prayers far more than we desire to pray them.  I'm sure this is particularly true regarding the comfort of our hearts, as administered by "the God of all comfort", and the intercessions of those who approach the Throne of grace for the glory of God, and benefit of our brothers and sisters.

"Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted."

(Isaiah 49:13)

Weekly Memory Verse 

    I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

(I Timothy 2:1-2)