Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Dear God, yesterday day was a rough first day back. I went into the day with one set of expectations and then that got thrown completely off within the first two minutes of being in the office—literally. Honestly, though, the problem was me. I had a complicated problem to solve right off the bat and some of my natural weaknesses made it difficult for me to handle. I prayed to you in real time and I sought out your guidance, but it was still really hard for me. I’m really sorry I have this weakness. In the end, I did what I had to do, but I know that the situation for the patient still needs your attention and provision. There’s more to be done there than I can do.

I’m not sure what all that has to do with today’s verse except it’s what was on my mind as I started praying. Maybe I just need a little encouragement from you that I did okay and was diligent to try to handle a delicate situation carefully. And I do want to pray for the patient involved. You know the need. You know the situation better than I do. Please help him and his family.

Father, I also want to pray for scream other people I know who are suffering. There’s the little girl of a friend from Facebook who is really sick. There’s my friend in the hospital, my other friend just out of the hospital, my friend who is old and at home and not doing well, the woman going through a divorce, my coworkers who are either sick or have sick relatives…the list is almost endless. Please be with these people and more. Encourage them with your Spirit and through your people. Help us to all come around each other so that you might bring your power and comfort to all of us.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen