happy birthday, Jesus! :^)
I didn't have a chance to do my devotion last night because of my fever, (bumalik cnat pag-uwi galing church) but at least I still have a chance to do it now and to share this prayer to all of you.
I lift up before God the homeless and for families that are torn apart during this season who find themselves on the streets, and of course those workers spend their time on streets like drivers, guards, etc. And also, for everyone who is involved in the medical field
Last night, when returning home from church, I saw a person lying in the road. Seeing that in a quiet statement of Christmas eve broke my heart in a way that nothing else could. While many of us are returning home to eat food with family, there are others who have nothing to return to... and are unable to be with family, such as my being away from my family.
May God protect those who sleep in the streets and those who roam without a destination. Keep them safe from violence, cold, hunger, and danger. Comfort them in their loneliness and remind them that they are not invisible and that they are greatly loved in Your sight.
I pray too for families that are separated—parents away from children, children away from parents, loved ones separated by distance or circumstance and because of work. Fill the empty spaces between them with peace and hope. Even when they cannot be together, Your presence must be enough to preserve their hearts. Open the doors of provision, of shelter, of kindness for people in need. Touch the hearts of people to help, to care, to love without judgment. Teach us not to turn our eyes away from suffering but to be instruments of Your mercy and Your compassion.
“The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow.” — Psalm 146:9 (NIV)
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” — Matthew 5:7 (NIV)