A prayer for bringing broken friends to jesus

> _     Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by > four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the > crowd, they made an opening in the roof 

above Jesus by digging > through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus > saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are > forgiven.” MARK 

2:3-5_ Dear Lord Jesus, today I woke up concerned for several friends and families who are dealing with difficult and chronic illnesses—of physical, mental and emotional varieties. I come to

you, on this chilly, icy morning, bringing both the sufferers _and_ the caregivers, confident of your great compassion, resurrection power and sufficient grace. Advertise on TGC Lord Jesus,

I cry out to you on behalf of the sufferers—those with various cancers, in particular. Oh for the Day when we will never have to deal with war _anywhere_, including warring cells within our

bodies. I also pray for the precious men and women whose capacity to think and feel is painfully distorted—those who suffer with various degrees and expressions of depression. I pray for

those unable to grieve losses and betrayals in a healthy way; those who live in the angry void of despair and hopelessness; and those whose war with self-contempt makes death look like a

good choice. You know the names and the details, and you alone have the grace. Lord Jesus, all I know to do is bring these dear ones to you in prayer, much like those who brought their

paralyzed friend to you on a pallet. I know you are merciful and I know you are mighty. Only you know what’s going on in each of them. I wish a clear and certain diagnosis was easy to

secure. It’s not always easy to discern what’s physiological, psychological, demonic, or just the absence of the gospel. Give us what we need to love and to serve the broken and beloved

well. When we’re fearful and confused, when we are fed up and used up, give us all the wisdom, compassion, and faith to love to your glory. Jesus, there are days like this one that make me

wish for miracles-on-demand. Help us trust you for supernatural intervention and grace for supernatural long-term caring. Write the stories that will maximize your glory. How we long for the

Day when every form of brokenness will give way to the endless joys of spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional health. So very Amen I pray, in your holy and healing name. SCOTTY SMITH is

the founding pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee. You can follow him on Twitter.