[Dear friends, I write these prayers each day in response to real situations. But I also write them, very much, with you guys in mind as well. As I pray for a friend today, think of your friends who are in a similar struggle of faith.]
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt. Jude 21-22
Dear Lord Jesus, the quintessential liar and thief is at it again, and a friend is being targeted with his dark, insidious stratagems. He who once maliciously asked, “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1) continues his unrelenting assault-seeking to twist, undermine, and sabotage the only Word that brings eternal life. How I passionately look forward to the Day when our already-defeated-foe becomes our fully-eradicated-enemy. May that Day be much sooner than later…
But in this day I groan and grapple for my friend, just like Epaphras wrestled in prayer for believers in Colossae, that they “may stand firm… and be fully assured” (Col. 4:12). Jesus, please help my friend stand firm in the grace of the gospel. Please kiss his heart with fresh assurance of your love for him…
Even as I pray, my greater confidence and comfort comes from knowing you never stop praying for us. Just as you asked the Father to protect your disciples from the evil one, so I rely on your praying the same for my friend… and for me (John 17:15). Protect us from all his tempting, seducing and condemning ways…
Right now my friend says he’s not really sure what he believes, but the questions he’s asking seem to portray a deeper struggle-one that’s more related to the heart than to the mind. He feels abandoned and he feels like he’s being relentlessly punished. Jesus, how do I love him well? How do I show him mercy in the quagmire of so much doubt? How do I patiently wade through the smoke screen of his theological questions to get to the part of his heart that feels so very alone, so very guilty, and so very angry?
Give me good answers for honest questions, but give me your heart for his real needs. So very Amen, I pray, in your tender and tireless name.
