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
