I have had this struggle so many times--wanting to help somebody, even crying on the inside when they would not listen, just did what they wanted. I often wonder how much the Father hurts when we are like that...
The Holy Spirit spoke to me once--yes, to pray, yes to lift it to our Father--but then to let go. We can't carry it, He can. Our place is to take it to Him in prayer--but then we need to leave it with Him.
How I've struggled with this! But I finally see it. I can't lift such a heavy burden. He tells me--just lift a corner, just a part, and then cry out to my Father to help. Then He will come and take the rest. The old timers used to talk about "praying through." I believe that that is what I experience--I pray until I feel that burden lifted. God is so good.
Something else He said to me. Jesus saves, we don't. We can't save them from their bad choices, but He will save them when they cry out to Him. Remember the prodigal son? They may go all the way to the pig sty, but the moment they start home He comes running to them. He clothes them in His beautiful garments, and kills the fatted calf and feeds them. He rejoices. He loves them so much. His heart aches when they are away from Him--He is just waiting--just even a single cry from them will bring them home again--
So I watch, and pray, and lift burdens that are impossibly heavy--and cry out to Him. He takes them, He is so kind.
And when I see a brother or sister coming back to God--how I rejoice with Him! Yes, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning," Psalm 30:5.
The Holy Spirit spoke to me once--yes, to pray, yes to lift it to our Father--but then to let go. We can't carry it, He can. Our place is to take it to Him in prayer--but then we need to leave it with Him.
How I've struggled with this! But I finally see it. I can't lift such a heavy burden. He tells me--just lift a corner, just a part, and then cry out to my Father to help. Then He will come and take the rest. The old timers used to talk about "praying through." I believe that that is what I experience--I pray until I feel that burden lifted. God is so good.
Something else He said to me. Jesus saves, we don't. We can't save them from their bad choices, but He will save them when they cry out to Him. Remember the prodigal son? They may go all the way to the pig sty, but the moment they start home He comes running to them. He clothes them in His beautiful garments, and kills the fatted calf and feeds them. He rejoices. He loves them so much. His heart aches when they are away from Him--He is just waiting--just even a single cry from them will bring them home again--
So I watch, and pray, and lift burdens that are impossibly heavy--and cry out to Him. He takes them, He is so kind.
And when I see a brother or sister coming back to God--how I rejoice with Him! Yes, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning," Psalm 30:5.
