It’s Prayer Vigil Friday! 08/11/11

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ~ Galatians 6:2

One thing I have learned over the last six months is that I could not have come this far, and stayed this positive, were it not for the love, support and willingness of others to share my burden with me – and for me to share the burden of others as well. I am so thankful for all of you who pray with me, who pray for each other, and who are so encouraging, supportive and uplifting.

Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

Welcome to Prayer Vigil Friday!

Please pray for those of us who need to reinvigorate our faith and strength as we face another day of pills, poking, prodding and pregnancy tests. Pray for those of us who are about to begin or who are smack in the middle of our two week wait. Pray that we not lose our heads, nor our hearts, and that we continue to find the strength and courage to make it through every obsessive moment of our all consuming wait.

Lord God, you are our strength. Help us to become stronger than our challenges today. Protect us from our weaknesses, our anxieties and our frustrations. Free us from our fears and give us the strength to keep taking those steps forward – especially when each step seems not to be going anywhere. Thank you for all of the sweet understanding spirits you have placed in our paths, whose  faith is boundless and whose caring and understanding ways are such a blessing to us all. Lord, bless each and every woman, man and couple in this infertility community who have opened their hearts to us. Thank you that through all of our chaotic lives, we have found unity. Amen.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” Proverbs 3:5…and you will find all of the courage you need.

Please pray for our sisters who are hurting and struggling after a miscarriage. Visualize God sitting beside them, His loving arms wrapped around them, whispering in their ears, “I’m so sorry you are hurting sweet girl. I’m so sorry you are going through this. Know that the sun will shine on you again.” The one and only question they are asking right now is WHY? Why does this have to happen? We cannot provide answers, but we can provide support. We can shed tears for their little ones who were loved beyond belief during their precious existence. We can pray for healing for their broken hearts, we can pray for comfort for their heavy shoulders, and we can pray for strength for the steps that lay ahead of them. Please pray for these women and for all who are grieving the loss of a loved one today.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. ~Matthew 5:4…There must be a time of mourning, there will be a time of anger, but comfort will come.

Dear Lord, watch over these precious women and give them comfort. Protect them in these days of vulnerability and pain. Heal their bodies as you heal their spirits. Give them peace as they feel Your loving presence wrapped around them. Bless them with love, with joy and with courage to face today and everyday as they mourn and heal. Bless them in ways only You can, full of Your power and worthy of Your glory. See them through and never ever let them feel alone. Amen.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.~ Joshua 1:9

Please pray for couples who are struggling with infertility. Pray that God will bless the marriages of these couples and the bonds that have developed between them. Pray that God will strengthen their marriages as they share the burden of disappointments and losses – and also as they provide hope and encouragement for each other. Pray they remain strong in their faith, and that together they lean on God for support, and remember His strength when they are weak.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.~Psalm 5:11

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope. ~Romans 15: 13

Put some time aside today, even if it’s a few minutes or 20 minutes. Close the door, close your eyes, dim the lights, light a candle, whatever you need to do to focus and spend some prayerful time with God. Pray for women you know, pray for women you don’t know. Then take some time and pray for yourself. Spend some time reflecting over the past week, over any frustrations you’ve had, whatever you’ve been putting off talking over with God. Get angry if you need to. Cry if you need to. Smile and give thanks if you need to!

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16

This scripture truly is what Prayer Vigil Friday is all about:

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” ~Matthew 18:19-20

Let’s join in one big prayer all day today!

This beautiful floral candle photo was taken by: neely bat chestnut