Prayer for November

I wrote this a week ago in the orthodontist office while waiting for Caleb to finish his appointment — it took longer decipher my scrawl and transcribe it than it did to compose it in the first place.

Dear Lord, as we approach the season that is usually filled with family celebrations, I pray that family bonds and relationships would be strengthened and restored. I praise you that technology exists to allow us to see and hear each other even though we are thousands of miles apart.

I pray that those who are not able to be with family would not be discouraged — that in spite of the distance, that they would feel connected. I pray that many of those who are desperate to return home would be allowed to travel. I pray specifically for Emily, that you will make a way for her to see her family in South Africa.

I pray that in this season of joy to the world and peace on earth, that joy and peace would shower over Abu Dhabi. I pray that people who are afraid would feel your peace and those who are discouraged would be filled your joy. I pray that no one would be without hope and I pray against any thoughts of suicide. I pray for the families of those who have taken their own lives this week and that you would comfort them as they live with their grief.

As we spend more time together as families, yet are isolated from others, as work/school/church are all at home, I pray that we would have grace for each other. That familiarity would not breed contempt, but that we’d be thankful for the gifts you’ve given us in our homes — gifts of son/father/sister/brother/mother/wife/daughter.

I pray that those who are alone wouldn’t be lonely Lord. That you would fill their days with deep connection with you. I pray that for all of us as our relationship with you is to be the one we prize the most. I pray for those who are unmarried. That they would be at peace with where they are in life. Not waiting for a partner, but focused on the present and content with today.

I pray that this time wouldn’t be wasted. That as we near the end of the calendar year, that we wouldn’t say “good riddance” or hurry it past, but that we’d be thankful for each day you have given us. “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Even in 2020.

Lord I pray against any abuse of others — that you would protect children or other vulnerable people from from those who would do them harm or are in relationships where tension is high. I pray that people would not express their anger or frustration in physical ways. I pray that you would change the minds of those who believe it’s OK or natural to rule over others in that way. I pray that loving your neighbor (or family member) as yourself wouldn’t be a rare event, but that people would look out for others’ interests before looking out for themselves.

Father, we don’t know what is coming next — I pray that our certainty in the future would be found in you. Not in our jobs, the outcome of elections, world events or in a vaccine. Thank you that our hope is in you and not in earthly things. I pray that the peace we have would be evident to those around us and that they would be drawn to you as a result. Amen.