But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. But the one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is discerned by no one.
1 Corinthians 2:14-15

Dear God, I absolutely need you and your discernment. I need to see the world through your eyes and be about your kingdom and will instead of my own.

I have a friend going through divorce mediation today. My perception is that there has been a lot of pain in this marriage, and now there is a lot of contention in the divorce. I’m not praying that the marriage be saved. I’m not even sure you want that at this point. But as both of these people, their attorneys, and the mediator go through this process today, my prayer for them is that the Holy Spirit will guide all of their hearts. I know what “winning” last oks like in the eyes of the world, but I don’t know what “winning” in today’s mediation from your perspective looks like. I know Jesus’s death on the cross looked like losing to everyone who was there, but it was actually part of the greatest victory of all time.

Of course, I have my own life situations, and from my own perspective it can certainly look like I’m losing. It can look like I’m failing. But I’ve been down this road with you before. I’ve trusted you and sought your guidance before, and I’ve seen the long-term “win” that comes from a short-term “loss.” In some of my current “losses,” my prayer is simply that you would guide everyone involved and make all of this pain count for your glory.

Father, I have this friend today going through the mediation. I have another friend with heart issues in a San Antonio hospital. Please be with them both. Comfort. Guide. Provide. Let your kingdom come to earth today in their lives. Let your will be done in their lives. For my mediation friend, give them your eyes so they can react to the situation as you see it. Use this pain to accomplish your will for everyone involved. Help everyone to see what a victory from your perspective looks like and to reject a worldly victory that brings a defeat for their soul. And for my friend with the heart issue, of course I ask that you heal her. But also comfort her. Use this to accomplish things in her life and the lives of her family and friends that you would never have accomplished otherwise. And in my life, give me your eyes so I can see beyond the physical world. Help me to see the powers and principalities at work around me, and to respond out of your victory 2,000 years ago.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen