In the face of great pain, Jesus, I trust you to guide me.

I found it harder to forgive the treachery of the smiling friend who betrayed me to the stake than to forgive the men who lit the fire. 

~~Elizabeth Goudge 

This morning’s prayer and meditation for Sally’s healing comes from Take Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time.

Betrayal is painful. A friend turns on you. A husband strays. A trusted mentor fails. Such hurt squeezes our heart like an iron fist and refuses to let go. Like Elizabeth Goudge, we would prefer to know of a person’s hatred and deal with it than to have someone we trust turn on us.

As Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples, he was aware of the betrayal that was ready to explode in the heart of his friend Judas. Yet Jesus washed his disciples’ feet—including those of Judas. From this position of humility and service, Jesus looked into the eyes of his friend as he washed and dried his betrayer’s feet.

As always, Jesus is our example. He fully understands your hurt, for he has been there. Bring your pain to him and ask him to show you today how to honor him through this painful time.

Prayer for Meditation

In the face of great pain, Jesus, I trust you to guide me.

Scripture for Meditation

Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”  

The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean. The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table. Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, “Who’s he talking about?” So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?”  

Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. So Judas left at once, going out into the night. John 13:21-30 

Music for Meditation 

How Deep the Father’s Love

 

If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below, or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com