Today is Mother’s Day, and my heart beats sad and sore. I miss my mother, who is in heaven, and I miss our only child, who remains estranged. Physical pain comes from mangled tendons on the outside of my hip and an internal tear inside my hip socket as I try to recover from the removal of a tumor at the top of that same leg. The tendons scream as though on fire, the hip socket throbs with pain, and the bruising from surgery runs from the incision area to my knee, keeping me hobbling during the day and miserable at night.

Yesterday, the internal and external pain overwhelmed me, and I sent out a message for help from several praying friends. Their quick replies comforted and made me aware that I should be more focused in my prayers. With their permission, I wanted to share a portion of what they wrote.

My friend, Teena, sent a message late at night that she was praying for relief of pain, courage, and strength. That the God of all hope will give you such a strong sense of what He plans to do, and the immeasurable hope that fresh vision brings that He will pour out the oil of His Spirit on you and breathe on you the fresh breath of the Holy Spirit. And that, while you sleep, He will hold you body, soul and spirit, cleansing every part, renewing, refreshing, rebuilding, reigniting you even as you sleep. And that God will turn your son’s eyes and heart towards Him and bring him home to you quickly.

My friend, Mary Ann, wrote that she had just finished reading a devotional about Jesus when He wept with Mary and Martha. My friend noted, There is something about friends mourning and praying with and for someone. It helps emotionally healing. I pray now for comfort and healing emotionally and physically.

Oh, how their prayers blessed me. I must admit I’ve found myself praying for the quick healing of my suffering friends, forgetting that physical pain often brings spiritual and mental challenges. J. R. Miller wrote, “We must try to make our sick friend braver to endure his sufferings.”[i]

God can heal in an instant, yet sometimes illness continues. God can change any circumstance, yet sometimes the difficulties continue. As a Christian, I know the ending will be amazingly wonderful. However, until then, life can be terribly painful. Regardless of our level of faith, our mind, body, heart, and soul encounter daily problems in a messy world. We all need help. Thankfully, God promises never to leave or forsake us and Jesus understands suffering.

The Bible reminds us to share comfort, be encouragers, strengthen, build up, and help and support one another. When God lays a name on your heart, take action in prayer, share encouraging scripture, take time to visit, or send a note, text, or email. Come alongside that person. Reach out in person and reach out in prayer. Let God guide you on how to best minister to those struggling. Pray for guidance on how to pray, for only the Lord knows what is truly needed.

I read a story about a little girl who came home late from school. Her mother scolded the child and asked why she was so late. The girl responded she was helping another girl in trouble. The mom asked what she did. Her daughter replied, “I sat down and helped her cry.”

Heavenly Father, help me pray for and minister to others the way You desire. Thank You, God, that You keep track of all our sorrows. You have collected all our tears in Your bottle and recorded each one in Your book. You will neither fail us nor abandon us. Thank You for being our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. Thank You for comforting us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort You have given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more You will shower us with Your comfort through Christ (Psalm 56:8, Deuteronomy 31:6, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, NLT).

[i] J. R. Miller, Making the Most of Life