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Burden-Bearing Friend-Love

Carry each other’s burdens,

and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Gal. 6:2

Compassionate Jesus, the call to shoulder up under the burdens of friends and family drives us to you today. Otherwise we might tune out, or turn away, like the priest and Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37).

You are the quintessential burden-bearer, Jesus. Having born the burden of the law’s demands and judgment for us, you constantly beckon us… “Cast all your care upon me, for I care for youCome to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Hallelujah, and thank you.

Help us not fear the emotional messiness that loving well brings. Help us rely on your presence more than our words or anything in us. Constantly remind us, “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love” (Gal. 5:6)—not projects getting completed, to-do lists being done, or homes being tidy.

Show us how to love our friends who are saying, “This is too much, I cannot go on.” Grant us grace and kindness for friends who just received a most difficult health diagnosis, vocation notice, or a humbling “reality check.”

Lead us as we come along side of parents seeking to love their prodigals and rebels; couples who sleep alone in the same bed; and friends who feel angry, hopeless, and very afraid… and they don’t know why.

Help us know how to pursue friends who are distancing themselves from you, making poor choices; and medicating their pain in ways that, in time, will only bring more pain.

Jesus, we bring our friends to your throne of grace this November Wednesday. By the power of the Spirit, we will seek to love them as you love us, pray for them as you quicken us; and serve them, not fix them. So very Amen we pray, in your tender and powerful name.

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