So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.

1 Peter 1:6,13

Dear God, I have a family member right now who is facing some trials I have never faced. I am so concerned for her. I thought of her when I read this passage this morning. I know she has joy ahead. I know you have better things planned for her in her earthly future, and you have ultimate victory over evil planned for all of us later.

As I sit here and type this, I am remembering that I had several bad dreams last night. I remembered one or two of them immediately when I woke up (it was one of those times when I had to reorient myself to reality), and now I remember a couple more. I don’t normally have dreams like this so it is telling me how much my mind is wrapping around this situation.

Father, help me to prepare my mind for action and to exercise self control. I think that preparing my mind for action starts with praying to you about this and listening to your still small voice. What should I do? What should I not do? How can I help her? I’ll start with asking you to help and guide her. Give her your peace. Fill her with your joy. And please don’t make this suffering for nothing. Make it count so that she and others will, in the end, see the glory on the Lord!

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen