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Prayer In Tough Times

    Recently I had the honor and privilege of speaking at the Baccalaureate service at Fairview High School .  Normally a very positive occasion, this senior class had been stricken with tragedy…the loss of two of their classmates, one young man only weeks before graduation.        

    It was an opportunity I had been thinking about for weeks prior to the service.  Bunny rabbit stories might cause a smile, but in the back of each young person’s mind would surely be the impact of a loss in their lives.  I was able to give each of the graduates a “He Always Holds Up The Heavy End” book.  I shared with these young people that there would be other tough times, but that Christ would always be there.  My scripture came from the book of John…Jesus’ words from the upper room.  “In this world you will have troubles, but take heart.  I have overcome the world.”

    “I have overcome the world.”  Thank goodness!  There will be valleys to walk through…there will be loneliness…aloneness…dark clouds…dreaded storms, “but take heart.  I have overcome the world.”  That truth, that Jesus had overcome everything the world can throw at us…that truth makes all the difference in our lives.  Sometimes I will tell you…I am tired of the world, of its ways.  But nothing can separate us from His love.  I cling to that truth.  It will overcome the sadness and tragedy of life.

    The service went well…God did what He always does when we let Him.  He took control.  I saw hope in the eyes of these students only Christ could provide.  And there was another blessing.  I had mentioned to friends how much I needed their prayers on this occasion.  The morning of the service, the calls and emails began to come…phone prayers.   Prayers from friends, some far away, new friends I haven’t seen but just a few times…but friends in Christ…friends forever.  Their thoughts and prayers came and through them God’s strength and guidance took over.  It truly overwhelmed me.  God always does that!

    I would ask you to pray for the students at Fairview High School and others like them as a new chapter of life begins.  And I pray a prayer of thanks to God for the Body of Christ whose love never fails and overcomes the troubles of the world.  To those of you I say “thank you.”  Thanks be to God for friends who pray for friends during tough times. 

    “In the world you will have troubles.  But take heart!”  Christ has overcome the world!

Thanks be to God!

Love in Christ,
Billy

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