We are blessed to have many veterans among our residents here at Bethesda Gardens Frisco. As Americans prepare to honor the lives of the amazing men and women who have fallen in service to our country, we ask our residents and their loved ones to join us in prayer for the families, friends and comrades they left behind.
The Bible promises we are never alone, even in our attempts to pray. When we struggle to find the words to convey our hearts, the Spirit steps in and carries our burdens for us:
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26 NIV
If you find yourself unable to express yourself this Memorial Day, here are some comforting scriptures that you can pray with the Spirit.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 NIV
Jesus is the resurrection and the life, but He never commands us to focus on this and not mourn. Instead, He promises that when we cry, He will comfort us.
Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record? Psalms 56:8 NIV
Not only does God comfort us, but He also records our tears. When we feel that life is unfair or the pain is too much, we can trust in the fact that God is a righteous Judge and that He will restore our losses and repair our broken hearts.
And provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3 NIV
When we feel like life has left us with only ashes, God reminds us that He makes all things new:
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:4-5
Though we weep now, Christians know that we can believe our Father when He says His words are trustworthy. We can stand in the midst of pain knowing that one day our mourning will become joy and our despair, praise.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
As we wait for the day that God swallows up death in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54), we can use our pain to help others. In this way, we can extend God's love to those around us and help point them to the ultimate source of healing and hope.
