A Prayer For Those You Love

 

Have you ever wanted to knock some sense into someone you care about?

 

You watch them make poor decision after poor decision

And can’t get them to do any different?

(Or)

You see their beauty and value

But they cannot see it for themselves.

(Or)

You know their sense of self-worth is basically non-existent

And that they just want to be loved.

(Or)

You know that they consider lack of bad treatment, good treatment,

When good treatment is far from how they’re being treated.

(Or)

You know they need to use their voice to stick up for themselves

But their fears and insecurities keep them from doing so.

(And so)

They continue getting hurt and

All you can do is watch it happen because it’s not your place to fight their battles?

 

It’s hard isn’t it?

To respect boundaries.

To watch someone suffer.

To know you can’t “fix” them?

To know your hands are tied until they break and need you to catch them.

 

I spend a lot of time sighing.

I spend a lot of time praying.

I have no idea how prayer works.

But I still pray.

And today I invite you to do the same.

No matter

If you are a fervent pray-er

Or if you have forgotten how to pray,

Simply say your person’s name and trust that

God hears.

I can’t guarantee that anything will immediately change.

But I can guarantee that expending the energy of saying their name

Will add breath and light and life to the world

And that all those things come from God.

 

Guide them,

Protect them,

And keep them safe.

Bless them,

Strengthen them,

And give them peace, oh God.

Amen.