How do I keep from getting discouraged...

[Lanman87]

A few months ago, just after spending 5 days in the Hospital, I felt called to start keeping a scripture and prayer journal. As part of my prayer journal I write down any prayer request I see on social media (mainly Facebook) and pray for those request every night.

Well, lately my facebook feed has been lit up with request for people very sick, mainly from COVID, and dying, mainly from COVID. As a result, in the past 8-10 weeks somewhere between 10-15 people that I have been praying for nightly have died from COVID. Two of my FB friends are currently on a ventilator and the outlook isn't good for either of them. One of them was a member of the same church I attended years ago when I lived in another city. He sang in the choir and always had a kind word for me and my wife.

Honestly, it is all very discouraging. I've learned that when you actually pray for people (instead of giving the pat answer of "I'll pray for you) that you become emotionally and spiritually invested in that person. Even if you barely know them or haven't seen them in 30 years you still grieve when they die.

I don't want to stop praying for people in need. That is one of the things any of us can do for each other. However, I'm also struggling with discouragement.

Any advice???

 

[Lamb]

Aw, yeah, those types of situations are hard to get through emotionally.

I know that when you pray for others that you wish for them to heal or recover. The problem is that we should be praying for God's will to be done and sometimes that means that they will pass away because it is their time to do so.

When I pray for those who are on ventilators, I ask that God does not allow them to suffer if I know their situation is dire.

If they are Christian and pass away, rejoice that they are with their Lord.

 

[MicheleMarie]

Its not easy to keep from being discouraged. Especially when things happen that you don't think would, I usually just start thinking stuff has a reason for happening. Bad or good, hope that helps,

 

[ValleyGal]

When you pray, do you pray that they will live, or that God's will is done?