Rest in His Presence--Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals 2

This is another in a series of letters to those who have prodigals in their lives.  This is part two of the REST theme for this year's Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals on June 2.Dear Lover of ProdigalsDuring the darkest years of our journey with our prodigal I had a friend who was there for me.  She came when I needed her.  She listened, she wept, she encouraged, she prayed. I could be sure I could lean against her when I was weak, or she would catch me before I fell, or she picked me up when I crashed.Her presence was often a place of rest for me in the midst of the seemingly never-ending turmoil and weariness.  However she could only hold me up for so long.  She grew weary in the battle as well.But there is one who is ALWAYS there for me and for you, who knows and feels our deepest pain, who listens and weeps and encourages and even prays.  He invites us to lean on Him, His everlasting arms are always waiting to catch us, His right hand is extended to pull us up.He says to us, as He said to Moses:  “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:19)Jesus Himself reminds us:  “…I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20)The place of rest for us is in His presence.  He is always available, waiting for us to come to Him.   When we seek Him out, when we dwell in His presence, we will find rest.The same is true for our prodigals.  We can pray for the presence of God to surround them, comfort them, overwhelm them.   We can ask God to give them a taste of the rest they are missing as they wander far from His presence.The apostle John assures us, “…we set our hearts at rest in His presence.” (1 John 3:19)___Surely as you walk this path, you have met others who need to join us in the Presence of the Lord, on our knees together.  Please have them write to us at prayerforprodigalsatgmaildotcom for an invitation into our community and to participate in the June 2 Day of Prayer for Prodigals.May God’s presence refresh you and give you rest.JudyFirst <<       > Next