As I mentioned in my last post, my husband and I spent last Wednesday through Saturday soaking up the blessings that come from hearing the message of the gospel through song. Those who sing and write the songs are amazingly gifted and have chosen to use that gift in service to the Lord. We are privileged to be the recipients of those gifts. Our spirits are lifted; we are encouraged and often the Holy Spirit uses the words that we hear to minister to the needs of our hearts.

I love the upbeat songs – the ones that set your feet to tapping – but it seemed to me that the overriding message was of a very serious nature this time. Put succinctly – we are all going to face difficult times in our lives, and the only way to get through them is to trust in the Lord. That message resonated in my spirit because it is so real. It is easy to sing songs and write words about how happy and joyful life is, it is quite another to write about the hard times. The truth is if we aren’t in the middle of a difficult time we eventually will be. The rest of the truth is we have a God who will always be there for us. He will either deliver us from the trial or He will give us the grace and strength to go through it. I read this morning in Ps. 52:8 “…I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.”

I feel burdened for those of us who are going through those difficult times right now. We are separated by great distances in most cases and cannot do the practical things to help one another – sit and pray together, prepare a meal, baby-sit the children – those sorts of things. However, we are able to do something more powerful than we can even imagine. We can pray for one another.

Mark Bishop sang a song he wrote that blessed and encouraged me. I’d like to share the lyrics with you:

Can I Pray For You?

“I’ve been your friend for a while.
I know you’re hiding behind that smile.
And you’re keeping inside tears that should have been cried.
You’ve been brave through the trial.
You’ve been as strong as a stone,
Against the stormy winds that have blown.
But you have friends who care, more than willing to share.
Don’t face those trials alone.

Can I pray for you?
Can I mention your name to the Lord?
When I seek His face,
Can I plead your case?
That’s what praying is for.
I’ll help you carry your cross,
And find the way when you’re lost.
If we’ll let Jesus be true,
I’ll know that He’ll see you through.
Can I pray for you?

I know that there’ll come a day,
When I’ll have trials and need you to pray.
Just like you’ve done before, you’ll mention me to the Lord.
That’s why I’m here to say,
‘Let me be there for you.
We’ll divide all your problems by two.
And very soon there’ll be three, you and Jesus and me.
That’s what friends are supposed to do.’

If we’ll let Jesus be true,
I know that He’ll see you through.
Can I pray for you?”

For those of you in need of prayer today, I’m praying for you.

Blessings,