Daily Devotion

1 Samuel 12:22

(GNTD) The Lord has made a solemn promise, and he will not abandon you, for he has decided to make you his own people.

     Even before the quarantine and social distancing there were lonely people. All alone due to personality issues, loss of family, disagreements with family, illness, incarceration and many other things. Now with Covid there are even more people suffering from loneliness than ever before. Those who live alone often used social gatherings as their comfort and communion with others; they cannot do that now. Some may be isolated with family they are at odds with and feel more alone than those by themselves. Some are keeping away from close friends and family to protect them but it is still hard. Pray for the lonely and if you know someone who is; call them; send a card, leave a note, let them know someone cares. And pray for God to let them know that He is always there; they are never alone.

Never Alone

Author, unknown

When in affliction’s valley I tread the road of care,

My Savior helps me carry the cross so heavy to bear;

Though all around me is darkness, earthly joys all flown;

My Savior whispers His promise, never to leave me alone!

No, never alone, no never alone,

He promised never to leave me,

He’ll claim me for His own;

No, never alone, no never alone.

He promised never to leave me,

Never to leave me alone.

Prayer:

Father God, I ask you to come to those whose hearts ache in this season of isolation and troubles. Many do not know you, many who do sincerely thank you for your greatest gift of all but they are hurting and lonely. Father, let them know it’s ok to express to you the pain and loneliness and frustration in their hearts. Let them know you are listening — and care. I pray for those who are single and who have no family, who spend much of their time alone. Be with them in the lonely hours, help them not to feel marginalized during this time that places so much emphasis on ‘being with family’. I pray for those who are housebound and infirm and are unable to leave their homes or hospital rooms due to illness. I pray for those with loved ones that are separated due to work, weather, duty or other circumstances. I pray for families who are struggling this year, financially and emotionally. I pray for desperate spouses who worry over their marriage. I pray for those children who are frightened and alone, who are in abusive situations or who sense the worry and frustration that their parents try to hide. I pray for parents who have children who are ill in body; ill in mind or who are addicted to drugs. Jesus, please come as Immanuel –God with us. Jesus, please enter into each place, each home, each hospital room, each homeless shelter, each hotel, each jail cell, each place of business, each quarantined home and  let them know they are not alone. Holy Spirit, come as the Comforter, let your gentle, healing warmth sooth and bring solace to aching hearts. God the Father, come to those without family and remind them that you are their family. Show them your heavenly, attentive, fatherly love for them in a way that they can understand. I pray this in the name of Jesus who knows our sorrows and understands our hearts. In Jesus name, Amen.

(Prayer by Katherine Walden)