Pausing to Pray

Tim Challies has deeply encouraged and impacted so many writers over the years, including myself. Just in my small writer’s group of six women, we each could name the many ways he has spurred us on not just as writers but as disciples of Jesus.

So when I heard the devastating news of the loss of his dear son, my heart was crushed. I looked into the eyes of my one-year-old son and couldn’t fathom the depth of grief my brother and sister in Christ are facing. So today, I’m joining my fellow writers and pausing to pray for the Challies family.

Oh God, we lament with this dear family over the loss of their beloved son. We weep with them and cannot imagine the grief they are experiencing. You know, Lord. You see. You understand. You care. You draw near to the broken-hearted. You are not far off. No Lord, you’re carrying them through. We praise you for this truth.

It’s for this very reason we bow our knees before You, Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named—including this dear family—that according to the riches of Your glory You may grant them to be strengthened with power through Your Spirit in their inner being, so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith—that they, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, even as they face grief unimaginable. I pray Lord that they may be filled with all the fullness of God. That even as they walk through the very shadow of death, they would know You love them and feel the comforting hand of their Good Shepherd. You are good, Lord. Help them believe it when it’s hard to see. Remind them that You weep with them. Sustain them with Your steadfast love. (Prayer based on Ephesians 3:14-19.)

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.” (Psalm 33:18-22 ESV)

Even as they hope in You, Lord. Amen.