Is there a strained relationship in your life? Someone you would like to feel closer to?  I long to be closer to my son. I miss my dear friends and surrogate grandchild left behind in our move. I mourn the loss of family from divorce and being separated from my nephews.  I long to just be in their presence. Do you ever feel this way?

Here is a beautiful quote that the Holy Spirit used to show me an important truth about love and relationships:

“When we hold up the life of another before God, when we expose it to God’s love, when we pray for its release from drowsiness, for the quickening of its inner health, for the power to throw off a destructive habit, for the restoration of its free and vital relationship with its fellows, for its strength to resist temptation, for its courage to continue against sharp opposition-only then do we sense what it means to share in God’s work, in His concern.”  Douglas V. Steere

Recently, I felt a burden to pray for a small child who should be my nephew, only separated by divorce. This was brought to mind by the Holy Spirit as sin in my life that I wasn’t even aware of (not praying for this child)! It immediately brought a sorrow to my heart, as I would so love to be in this child’s life. Then I read this quote, and realized that even though I will not be able to have an earthly relationship with this child, I can still pray for him daily. Perhaps it is more important to have Spiritual bond through prayer than to have an earthly bond!

God used this to show me that there are seasons when prayer may be the most important aspect of our relationships. We all have times when our hearts just cry out to God for loved ones and friends.  Perhaps they are more deep and heartfelt when we are separated, either by physical or emotional distances. Perhaps it is easier to see the real needs in their lives, to “hear” the cries of their hearts, when we are not daily involved with them on an emotional level. Perhaps it shows true love, a Christ-like love, to continue to pray for someone who shuns you, who will perhaps never even know you have been lifting them up!

Use these seasons to sharpen your prayer life. Take the focus off of your earthly relationships and begin to forge Spiritual relationships! Expose their lives to God’s love! It will lift the burden of struggling to “fix” others or your relationships in your own strength and allow God to work His healing magic in their lives, and yours as well. It will bring you peace. Praise the God of comfort!

You don’t have to be alone in this. We would love to pray with you, stand beside you, and lift you up as well. Just contact us through the prayer request page. All requests are confidential. You may simply send a request and we will pray. Or you can give us contact information, and we will stay in touch with you through email or phone, whatever you wish.

Are you looking for a great gift? Want to honor friends and family who have mentored you along your Christian walk? What better gift than to honor them on The List! You can add their names separately or in a group, add a life verse, even memorialize those who are now home. Check it out!