Praying for those going through difficult times
A personal story
My first introduction to Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs) was through a friend of mine and my dad’s.
He had actually made his own game because he loved old-school D&D.
At the time, I didn’t know what any of this meant, but it sounded like fun and I thought the dice were super cool.
Our friend, Ed, got me and my dad to play a game he had written where I played as a Dwarf with a thing for axes.
Ed also introduced me to lots of anime, lots of Christian metal and hard rock music, and Ed (along with his wife Marcie) also led a small group through our youth group.
Ed taught me an appreciation for worship in all its forms.
Ed taught me how to pray before something as trivial as sitting down to role dice and play a game with friends.
And Ed taught me how to keep praying when things are tough for yourself or for others.
This past weekend, Ed went home to be with Jesus. He died Sunday morning (November 12, 2023).
And I’ve been thinking and praying a lot about that, what he taught me, what I’m sure he wanted to teach me but never got the chance to.
And I’ve been praying for his family, a lot of whom were dear friends of mine in high school before I moved away. Some of them I still stay in touch with every now and then.
In Galatians chapter 6 we see Paul write to the church in Galatia, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
While this teaching didn’t come from Jesus directly, it holds true to all of his teachings and to the rhythms of The Lord’s Prayer to pray, “But rescue us from evil.” For we are meant to be the rescue for those in need…and that includes when others are suffering, publicly or not.
“Pray continually” Paul says. Because Jesus did exactly that.
So pray for those who are really “going through it.” But don’t let your prayers remain idle. And remember that to pray, “May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” means to be the hands, feet, heart, and mission of Jesus when the Spirit calls.
My prayer for today
Our Father, thank you for the example Ed gave me at such a young and formative age. Thank you for his eagerness to seek answers and ask questions, and for the many ways in which I picked up on that example. Jesus, grant peace to Marcie and Shawnee and Heather and all those who I know are directly affected by his death. Spirit, continue to pour out your grace on those of us who need it and direct our spirits and prayers to those we need to pray for and pray with. Amen.
Remember
Hug a loved one today, send that text, make that phone call. And pray those all those in need of prayer and presence.