No verse.

Dear God, last night before I went to bed, I got an email from a friend. He told me he had abruptly resigned from his job on Saturday. I don’t know any details. I don’t know if he had had enough and quit, if the leadership over him forced him out, or if it was some sort of combination of the two. What I do know is that I’ve been thinking about him ever since. I woke up briefly in the middle of the night and he and his family, especially his wife and his mother, were the first things on my mind. Then when I woke up again this morning, I thought about all of them again. I also thought about the place he’s leaving and hoped it might go through this process well.

The thing I always thought about and prayed to you about when I woke up didn’t focus on financial provision for them, although I did mention it. I mainly focused on their emotional state. I want you to give them (and by them I mean my friend, his wife, their children, and my friend’s and his wife’s parents) comfort. I want you to give them peace. Give them a sense of your presence, your care, and the assurance that, even though they might not be able to see it now, this will work together for good. I prayed and continue to pray that you will raise up people in all of their lives, including me, who will be your presence to them. Give them peaceful and discerning hearts during this foggy, painful time. In Easter parlance, it might seem like Friday night, but give them faith that Sunday is on it’s way.

Father, I guess what I haven’t prayed until now is that if there is any offense that has been done to my friend or his family, help him to heal from that, to forgive, and to pray for any enemies that he might have. If there are “us versus them” factions, help him to lead those left behind who supported him into reconciliation. Help him and his family to be a complete source of your presence, even in the midst of their own pain, hurt, and anger. Cover my friend and his family. Help them to bathe in the presence of the Holy Spirit. And help them to lead their children well and teach them about you and your goodness through this while still allowing them to be kids and remembering that the kids need to feel the stability that you provide through their parents.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen