“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him (Elisha’s servant).
“For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. 2 Kings 6:16-17 (NLT)
Abba Father, sometimes like Elisha’s servant, we get overwhelmed. A combination of hard storylines, things we can’t control, and the suffering of loved ones take their toll. Whatever our scenario, you don’t despise our feelings of vulnerability and concern. You are with us, for us, and that’s all we need to know.
As you did for Elisha’s servant, open our eyes to see your provision all around us. Whether it’s literally angels, or other assurances of your hand and heart. Let us feel your everlasting arms wrapped around us and poised under us (Deut. 33:27). And open our ears to hear you singing over us in the gospel (Zeph. 3:17). Fill the chambers of our hearts with melodies of grace and your Fatherly care.
Greater is the One who is in us than anyone and anything coming against us (1 Jn. 4:4). Indeed, Abba, make Jesus the biggest, most beautiful, most unavoidable reality in our lives right now—even if our circumstances are slow to change.
Help us embrace our vulnerability and weakness as opportunities to rely on you. Mute the voice of “the accuser of the brethren,” who attacks us in our weariness with shame, fear, and wrong thinking about you.
Free us to run to the throne of grace regularly, and to our grace-friends quickly. Thank you for the loving, praying, perspective-giving sisters and brothers, you’ve given us. Life simply can’t be done alone.
We praise, bless, and adore you for being our very near and full-of-grace Father. You are here, you are in control, and you will win the day. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ triumphant and tender name.