People from all around the world and from all walks of life regularly make use of SGM Lifewords’ pastoral resources to provide hope, encouragement and support to friends and families, neighbours and strangers. As a new year begins, join us in prayer for and with all those who are seeking to live, speak and be life words in their homes, communities and workplaces.
“The LORD is close to the broken-hearted.” Psalm 34:18
- Give thanks that God who walked the earth understands what it is to experience the pain of loss. Give thanks for the Bible’s promise that he draws near to those who are going through the pain of bereavement. Pray for all those who are mourning the death of a loved one. Pray that in their grief, they will know God’s presence, comfort and strength.
- Give thanks for the many testimonies we are privileged to hear from people who have experienced comfort and strength in times of bereavement through reading a copy of Living with Loss. Pray that this resource will continue to be a blessing to those who are dealing with grief: and to those seeking to draw alongside and comfort them.
- ASR Lee Philipson works for the Soldiers and Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association (SASRA). He writes: “Following a recent Sunday chapel service, my wife Debbie told me someone had remained alone in the chapel. I looked in and found one of the troop sergeants standing by one of the candle stands. I spoke with him and found that he was mourning the loss of his mother. I offered to take a thanksgiving service for his mother, and led him in a short service the following evening. We chatted about his mother, and talked together about helping him preserve his memories and deal with the grief he was feeling. I showed him the leaflet Living With Loss, guiding him through its sections and encouraging him to take it and read it through later. This he did, thanking me for what I had done, and promising to come and see me again.” Pray for the work of Army Scripture Readers like Lee who are seeking to draw alongside members of the armed forces. Give thanks for their faithful witness, and pray that they will know God’s guidance and wisdom in all that they do.