by Scotty Smith
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. (John 14:1 NIV) In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Jesus, yesterday’s troubling stories shape today’s morning prayer. I went to bed late last night, wearied with woes of good friends. I arise today hungry with hope in you, our great and gracious Savior. Thank you for being so honest with us about life this side of the new heaven and new earth. You’re not an on-demand panacea, promising the elimination of hardships and heartaches. But you’re a very present help, pledging your presence in every circumstance and trial. Troubling news doesn’t have to cripple our hearts. Indeed, may it carry our hearts to you today, for you are ever so trustworthy, Jesus.
For our friends stunned with heartbreaking health news, we declare our trust in you, Jesus. How we long for the day when words like cancer, dementia, and heart disease will no longer appear in our vocabulary. Until that day, we unabashedly and earnestly pray for healing, and we trust you for all-surpassing peace and more-than-sufficient grace.
For our friends saddened with heart-ripping issues with their children, we declare our trust in you, Jesus. Few troubling reports carry more power to dishearten than those related to our children. Whether they’ve been vandalized by others’ darkness or victimized by their own foolish choices, it hurts real bad and real deep. We appeal to your covenant faithfulness and your powerful reach: capture the hearts of our children, Jesus, and help us love them well in the chaos and the crisis.
For our friends saddled with heart-wrenching financial burdens, we declare our trust in you, Jesus. There’s a growing number among us who have more month left over at the end of the check. There’s a growing number of us who are facing losing homes and hope. But things that are impossible with man are possible with you, Jesus. We pray not only for your provision but for our generosity with one another. May the law of love be fulfilled as we bear one another’s burdens—spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially.
Jesus, we can trust in you as we trust in God, for you are God—the Son of God and God the Son. We can “take heart” because you have already overcome the world for us. In the world we will have tribulation, but in you we find all the peace we need. We pray in your kind and overcoming name.
Amen.
Scotty Smith is founding pastor and pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church (PCA) in Franklin, Tennessee, and currently serves as teacher in residence at West End Community Church in Nashville. He has also planted five daughter churches in the Nashville area. Scotty is an adjunct professor at Covenant Theological Seminary and regularly teaches at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. His popular daily devotional, Everyday Prayers: 365 Days to a Gospel-Centered Faith (Baker Books, 2011), is available through your favorite bookstore or online at Amazon.com. The above excerpt was reprinted by permission of the author.
