Our devotions this Lenten season have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church. Today’s devotion is by Erin Lyons. Also, if you would like to join our staff in praying the liturgy for Responsive Prayer/Suffrages just click here.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
As I grow older my definition of brokenhearted has changed. When I was a child, it was hearing “no” to requests for ice cream or new toys. As a teenager, it was when a close friend treated me poorly.
Now as a parent, I think the only thing that could leave me truly brokenhearted would be for something bad to happen to my daughter. We are blessed to have a healthy child in our lives.
Although we have not experienced this definition of brokenhearted, we know two mothers that have.
My friend Sarah learned that her daughter Emma had leukemia when she was only 2 years old. My friend Terri unexpectedly lost her daughter to an unknown heart condition at the age of 23.
Both of these friends told me that in their most difficult times, they could truly feel the hundreds of prayers being said for them. Through them, I have realized that when we are really brokenhearted, we feel the Lord’s presence in our lives in ways we never expected.
Sometimes it is the times when we feel the most alone, the most crushed in spirit, that we know the Lord is close.
Let us pray: Lord we give thanks that you are forever close to us. May we remember this, especially when we are brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. Amen.
Daily Devotions 
March 19, 2012 at 8:06 pm |
Dear Erin,
This passage and your words are so comforting and so timely for me. I lost my first child and only daughter when she was one day old. She was born ten weeks early on March 22, 1970 and passed away the next day. (I was married and a mother at age 17.) Something that has always been special to me is that she was born on Palm Sunday. One day last week, in our church’s Lenten devotional, Psalm 34:4 was the subject of the day’s reading and commentary. It seems Psalm 34 is a special present for me this year during this time of remembering my precious Rebecca. Although I still feel the loss of her, I am blessed with two wonderful sons. Thank you, Erin, for writing the devotion. I shall be rereading it more than once.
Peace and prayers,
Kathy
December 10, 2012 at 9:10 am |
I was reading in Galatians where Paul ciesthsas the Galatians, asking them if they started their walk by the acts of the Spirit, why are they continuing in the flesh? In other words, why are you turning to your flesh to save you and sanctify you?It was a convicting reminder. I do that way too often.
March 19, 2012 at 10:00 pm |
Thank you for this lovely devotion.
March 20, 2012 at 1:27 am |
Thank you, Erin, for the reminder that God is close when we are most broken. I am challenged by the effects of 40 years of living with MS. At times I find it hard to love myself as I am now. I question whether I have value, since my care and its cost seem such a liability. At such a moment, as I wrestled with this in prayer, I felt led to see myself as God sees me – imperfect, but forever loved by my Creator. That loving presence gave me the assurance I needed.
June 21, 2013 at 7:40 am |
Ashlee, if you go tot he Prayer ministry link in the top right of the wbstiee, there is a link to sign up to be a part of the prayer ministry where you will get prayer requests and updates.
June 24, 2013 at 10:45 am |
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October 17, 2013 at 5:17 pm |
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November 6, 2013 at 10:32 am |
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March 20, 2012 at 4:59 am |
Nancy says:
Erin, how very true it is that it is when we are the most broken
that we feel closer to God. Giving thanks for his presence
in my life during those difficult times. His GRACE is amazing!
March 20, 2012 at 8:32 am |
That was absolutely beautiful.
Thank you thank you thank you.
March 4, 2014 at 1:34 pm |
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