Intercession for a Friend

by Dr. Jacob Mathew

Dear God:

We remember our friend ---- and his/her family who are going through many trials and tribulations in their lives.

He/She is coming to the end of rope of hope.

God, we know you have plans for everyone. We do not know what they are. We know everything happens according to your plans and to the ultimate good of all of us. So, we cannot ask what You should do for ----- and his/her family.

All we can say, God, is that Thy will be done.

O Lord, deliver ------, his/her family, and us from
the fear of the unknown future; 
the fear of failure; 
the fear of poverty; 
the fear of bereavement; 
the fear of loneliness; 
the fear of sickness and pain; 
the fear of age; and
the fear of death.

God, teach us to be generous;
Teach us to serve You as Your deserve it;
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not to seek for rest,
To labor and not to seek reward,
Save that of knowing that we are instruments you use to seek your will.

Help us, God, by thy grace to love and fear you only, 
fill ----'s and his/her families and our hearts with cheerful courage and loving trust in You.

Hear our prayers, O God;
When his/her heart weakens with despair; provide ------ with a rock that he/she can lean on and get comfort.
Be a refuge for ----- and his/her family, provide them with a tower of strength in the face of adversities.
Provide them a shelter in the shadows of your wings like a mother bird that takes care of her children in the face of danger.

We ask that You strengthen ---- so that he/she will have the courage and compassion to face life, and guide and help him/her to chose the path that will be pleasing to you. Strengthen him/her family so that they can collectively overcome these setbacks in this phase of their lives.

God, You keep us from falling.
You lift us from the dark valley of despair to the bright mountain of hope.
You elevate us from the midnight of desperation to the daybreak of joy.
We pray that you help ----- and his/her family face these uncertain times and emerge triumphant and victorious, and pray with all of us that "Thy will be done."