“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified” Isaiah 61:3 KJV
Please join me in continued prayers for the Victims of the attack in Westminister last week. Let us also pray for victims of atrocities around the world too. Isaiah spoke of “The Holy Spirit being upon him to do the will of God”, today we have The Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ Lord of Lord & King of Kings, within us; leading and directing us to do His will in obedience. Today, I honour The King in me as He leads me to encourage us all, to pray for the broken-hearted and the lonely because of bereavement. To pray for all families who are experiencing grief and have still, so many unanswered questions, with special reference to those who endured a very public loss of a loved one last Wednesday, as the Palmer Family have.
When my father died I remember the immediate days which followed thinking, ‘can you all stop looking at us & talking, so we can grieve our daddy?’ It was my worry that his actual ‘leaving’ us would be missed through all the ‘noise’ & shock at his death. However, when the day of his funeral came and the funeral coutage passed the street, I watched out of the tinted windows as people were going about their everyday affairs, I was hurt. Yes, some stopped & doffed the hats in respect to my father’s coffin, stately leading the funeral procession & a few to us as a family but most, continued on with their own lives and I cried thinking ‘he’s gone; they don’t care that such a great man, my daddy, has gone. It’s not fair.’ I felt a bit jealous, I felt anger, I felt utter sorrow. I felt invisible, through the saltiness of my tears. I looked at Mummy and her grief was palpable but she was whispering prayers to keep herself going. Her sister who had flown in from Alicante, Spain & Dad’s sister from St.Vincent & The Grenadines, sat aside her, holding her hands gently at times then squeezing her arms, as if they felt her weakness come to the surface; both were praying quietly too. That wall of strength was from God; it was strength like I’ve never witnessed before, through His Holy Spirit. His strength carried Mummy through her weakness & she accepted it. His strength also carried my Aunties; one grieving her Brother, the other, her Brother-in-law & both supporting their Sister (Mummy), nieces & nephews, (me being one of them) too. This is what helped us all get through the day as we held on to each other. It helped us get through the period of grief to come. I didn’t realise it then but as the funeral approached and passed, I embraced the prayers, physical hugs also in being hugged in words & cards & the overwhelming love I received. We have been able to laugh again because of Gods grace towards us. I encourage the Victims and those affected by this enormous loss, that one you too will laugh again
Let us all be the hands which hold The Palmer family and those suffering at his; and all the Victim’s passing. Let us link arms with the friends and colleagues who are feeling invisible right now & the victims from other Nations, who sleep as a result of this terrible day. Let us pray for strength from God and His peace to quell the storm which surges in times of bereavement. You are not forgotten and you are not alone. Though death is natural, for we will all sleep – it’s an appointment we cannot avoid; how it comes routes the briefing process. Please do not forget the families because it is not being reported as breaking news. Please do not forget the many families after the funeral has passed or whilst the victims injured recover. Please do not forget to pray for the wounded in heart & spirit. Be moved as Jesus was when Lazarus, His good friend died “Jesus wept” as did a whole community weep with Martha & Mary.
If you are sad, feel lost or would like prayer, we encourage you to contact LPCF if & when, you need to talk or if you would like us to prayer for someone you know. We are continuing in prayer for you all, especially the Palmer family, may God richly bless, strengthen and keep you, in Jesus name we pray, amen??
Samantha ?
