Between Facebook, texts, emails and cards we have received countless encouraging words since my mother entered the presence of the Lord.
Encouragement from those with whom I grew up in Guatemala.
Encouragement from those from different churches and institutions we have been connected to.
Encouragement from those whom my mother prayed for on multiple continents.
Encouragement from the faithful family at Calvary Church.
I am really overwhelmed with the kindness that has been expressed.
Another group of rather new friends who have also encouraged me are a group of global workers the Lord allowed me to serve in Asia. I spent the majority of February in Cambodia leading a study of Doxologies, Benedictions and Prayers (a study I hope to upload sometime). During each of the two weeks I challenged the different groups to write a doxology and a prayer.
When they were informed that my mother had passed into the presence of her Lord, they wrote out their prayers for me. I will cherish these encouraging words. Words that reminded me of the truths I believe and had taught. As a teacher they ministered deeply as they applied principles and passages I taught.
Though they are personal and all are meaningful, I’m sharing a few here with the hope of blessing and inspiring your hope–your certain anticipation. And as a reminder to me of what encouraging words sound like to hurting hearts.
Dear covenant-keeping, sovereign and loving Father, You know all things and do all things well. You are the healer of hearts and lifter of our heads. Will you lift up and hold up the heads and hearts of Steve and his family at this difficult time so that they see and you love you more. And through their doing this, also help others to see and love you more too. Please remind them of your lasting truth and eternal promises so that they will trust you completely. Through memories of her, remind them of your gracious faithfulness and lavishing love so that they will be renewed in faith and motivated to live in continued surrender to You. Please use Steve in these days to shine your light and love with your strength and wisdom so that You will be seen as very powerful and Your name will be proclaimed and You will be glorified. In the powerful, life-changing name of Jesus, Amen.
Dear Father, I thank you for sending Steve to encourage us by teachings from your Word. I thank you for his mother who was faithful to your call to go to the nations and who birthed him and reared him to know and love you. Thank you for the many fruitful years you gave her on this earth to influence others into the kingdom and that we could receive some of the fruit of her tireless kingdom focused labor via the ministry of her son. Please open my brother Steve’s heart to have perspective and grateful joy in the midst of this temporary separation so that he may be comforted and not be encumbered from continuing to walk in step with your Spirit as you draw him closer still into the knowledge of your presence. You and You alone have conquered death and are the reason we can rejoice.
Dear loving Heavenly Father, I lift up my brother Steve before you. May he be sooo secure in the reality of who you are and who he is in you– that he will be able to fully embrace the uncomfortable pangs of grief for himself, for his sister, for his sons and especially for his dad – all mixed with joy knowing where is mom is and how she is rejoicing in the wonder of the infinite God she lived for with her heart, mind, soul and strength. I pray this so that others around him would see your strength and comfort through his grief. I pray this so you are glorified as literally 100s of people see the authenticity of Steve’s life as one who believes what he teaches of your overwhelming infinite omni-competence in all areas of life.
Dear Father, Dad, my heart is grieved for my brother Steve, his sister and dad. I know the feeling since you have taken a parent you have given me home (and it still hurts- at times). Give them your sweet Spirit’s comfort to quench the bitter taste of death. Bring to their minds the joy of remembering the cherished times you provided for them together and bring to mind and heart the promise of being together again. Shock those who need it to see the brevity of this life and cause us to number our days so that we will soberly and intentionally go about your business with your grace for your glory. And we ask all these things in Jesus name. Amen.
Father, I lift up Steve Kilgore to your throne asking that you will comfort him by your Spirit in his most inner being, that you will cause your peace to dwell in every part of his heart and conscience, that he will dig down deeply into your loving kindness, that he will comprehend your power to care for him and his loved ones, that you will help him to experience to the full the excelling acceptance that comes with knowing the Messiah, that you will fill him up with all the fullness of your own self, and finally, that you will give him confidence to know that you have already fully achieved this for his dear mom.
