Prayers for those who have lost touch with a loved one � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

Prayers for those who havelost touch with a loved one

Being a Good Friend

A dear friend of mine sent me a text message that said, “I’m so glad we can tell each other the good, the bad and the ugly!” We have been friends for many years, and we have learned to share our joys and our failures; especially when life is making things difficult for us. We recognise we are far from perfect, so we share our struggles and rejoice in each other’s successes to make sure we are always able to encourage one another in the Lord. David and Jonathan had a solid friendship too, beginning with the good days of David’s victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 18:1–4). They shared their fears during the bad days of Jonathan’s father’s jealousy (18:6–11; 20:1–2). Finally, they suffered together during the ugly days of Saul’s plans to kill David (20:42). Maintaining close friendships has been incredibly hard during this season of isolation. Yet good friends don’t abandon one another when external circumstances change. Even if you feel disconnected from someone important, you can still reach out with the compassion and companionship David and Jonathon displayed. Distance need not stop us pointing one another to God in the ugly and difficult days. Real friendships are a gift from God because they exemplify the perfect Friend, who remains loyal through the good, the bad and the ugly days. As the Lord reminds us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Who would you like to reconnect with and encourage? Why not pray for them, and for an opportunity to catch up? God will use and bless your act of friendship�

Adapted from the Our Daily Bread article “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly” by Keila Ochoa

A Prayer to Reconnect with Good Friends Father, thank You for the people You have put in my life who love You, love Your Word and who can be trusted to act wisely and with grace. Help me to put in the work to maintain those relationships, even when circumstances force us to be distant. Friends who readily point me to Christ are a priceless treasure. Keep shaping me through them, and may I be such a friend to them as well. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of Your people. Amen

A Prayer to Be a Good Friend Dear Jesus, teach me to love others the way that You love me. May my presence be refreshing and my home a haven for those who enter it. I long to serve Your people with compassion and kindness, being a true friend to everyone You put in my path. And help me to be a good friend and witness to those who do not know You, spreading the sweet aroma of Your love and welcome, so that they will be impacted by Your offer of friendship through my acts of friendship. Amen

A Prayer for the Lonely Father God, our ever-present help in times of trouble, we praise You and thank You that despite the isolating times we’ve been through, Your Word promises that nothing can separate us from Your love. Be with the lonely, the hurting, the depressed and the hopeless we pray. Give them a special measure of Your blessings that they may find in You the strength and hope to face another day. Show me if there’s someone I can reach out to in friendship. Amen

7 Proverbs about Friendship

1The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray� Proverbs 12:26

2Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20

3A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity� Proverbs 17:17

4Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

Proverbs 19:20

5Better is open rebuke than hidden love� Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Proverbs 27:5-6

6Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice� Proverbs 27:9

7As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another�

Proverbs 27:17

AS IRON SHARPENS IRON, so one person sharpens another.

PROVERBS 27:17