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A Prayer About Bringing Broken Friends to Jesus

     Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:3-5

     Loving Jesus, today I woke up thinking about friends who live with chronic illnesses—those with mental and emotional illnesses in particular. As I grieve the ongoing assault of dementia on my father’s dignity and freedom, you’re intensifying my compassion for others… and my longing for your return. I come bringing you both the sufferers and the caregivers, confident of your great compassion. I lift these dear ones to you in prayer much like the men who lowered their paralyzed friend to you through a roof.

     Jesus, I cry out to you on behalf of the sufferers—these precious men and women whose capacity to think and feel is painfully distorted. I pray for those who suffer with early and late stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. I’m so grateful that you remember them even when they no longer remember you.

     I also intercede for friends suffering with various degrees and forms of depression—for friends trying to make sense of hard providences and your promises… for those unable to grieve losses and betrayals in a healthy way… for those who live in the angry void of despair and hopelessness… for those whose war with self-contempt makes death look like a good choice… you know the names and the details, and you alone have the grace sufficient for each one.

    Jesus, I also ask for great measures of your mercy and might for those of us called to serve these beloved men and women, and for the professional care-givers as well. When we’re fearful and confused… when we are fed up and used up… when we’re mad and sad… give us all the wisdom, compassion and faith to love well. Jesus, it’s these kinds of sufferings that make me wish for miracles-on-demand. Help us trust you for supernatural intervention and grace for supernatural long-term caring. Write the stories that will maximize your glory.

     O hasten the Day when every form of brokenness will give way to the endless joys of spiritual, physical, mental and emotional health. So very Amen, I pray, in your holy and healing name.

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