DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Remember our nation in its time of need. Provide relief for the prevailing distress. Revive commerce’s wheels, that those without work in this city may no longer cry out for bread. May wars cease worldwide, and even if they erupt, may they bring about the liberation of slaves, however desperate the evil. May Satan’s kingdom be divided and crumble.
Above all, long-awaited Messiah, come! Your ancient people, who once rejected you, anticipate your second coming. We, the Gentiles, who once knew you not, await you. Waste no time, O Jesus!
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war. You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2)
This is nature’s way of trying to get by contention what it desires to possess—fighting, and warring, and killing, yet the result of all this is nil. After all is done, “yet you do not have.” There is a simpler and a surer way which men forget; they leave that divine path untrodden: “You do not have, because you do not ask.”
With all your efforts you do not succeed, because you omit to pray to God. Prayer would have brought you every blessing that you need; but, instead of going to God, and asking at his hands, you rush upon your neighbor, and seek to take what you desire as spoil from him.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
God’s Care for Parents of Children Identifying as LGBT*
God hears the prayers of suffering parents. He is not distant from your desperate cries. He loves to comfort the weary and he will comfort you.
Christians often underestimate the tremendous amount of suffering that parents face when a child adopts an LGBT identity. And as with any trial that we face, God’s comfort is real and present.
A great resource to help you remember God’s care in the midst of this unique suffering is Shattered Dreams, New Hopes, a free Bible study curriculum from Harvest USA.
This study has a lot of practical counsel about continuing conversations with your child — but, primarily it is an exploration of what God is doing in YOU during this season.
Here’s what to look forward to…
- Use this study in a group, one-on-one, or on your own
- Understand biblically (not just psychologically/culturally) why your child has adopted this identity
- Find compassion as you navigate this difficult season
- Discover practical guidance for moving toward your child with grace and truth (without driving them away)
- Remember the hope of Christ, powerfully working, even in the darkest of days
If you are struggling with your child’s LGBT identity, don’t struggle alone! Remember the mercy of God with Shattered Dreams, New Hope.