a Easter prayer

   It's late. My eyes are peering through my thick glasses at the computer screen as I study yet another chapter. Sitting back for a few moments to run my fingers through my hair and let out a sigh. I sip my tea that used to be warm and think about how much I dislike online school.

 A glance at my schedule and I'm reminded that Easter is only two days away. I shake my head in disbelief, not knowing how the past few weeks have felt like they all meshed into one.

   As I thought about Easter I began to reminisce. That ache filled me as I thought of all the things I was missing. I missed being at school, I missed seeing my friends, I missed not being slightly anxious when I go get groceries, I missed going to the beach.... and on and on.

  As I took another sip a different thought ran through my mind,

 "But what about the ones that are missing a lot more this weekend?"

  It suddenly felt like I was watching a movie as scene after scene of hurting, lonely, and broken people danced through my mind. I suddenly felt foolish for allowing myself to be upset about such minuscule things when this Sunday I get to remind myself of the hope that I have. This Sunday I get to remind myself of how much I have despite everything that I miss, while so many others won't have that.

This weekend while I'm joyful and celebrating Christ,
we as the Church need to be in prayer for those
who won't be feeling this way on Sunday:

Pray for the woman who finds herself alone and pregnant, wanting to head to the abortion clinics that are open this Sunday while churches are closed.

Pray for the man who is struggling to stay sober for his family, 

but finds himself in front of the bright red sign that screams "OPEN" 

at the liquor store.

Pray for the foreign exchange student who's sitting in their college dorm alone. 
As they are away from family, away from friends, and alone this Sunday.

Pray for the single mom who is struggling to get by with no job. Not knowing where she will find money for to pay for groceries this Sunday as her bank account is dwindling. 

Pray for the elderly man who just lost his wife. Who is living alone in the middle 

of a pandemic with no family to check in on him. 

Pray for the nurse who has been sleeping in her car for weeks. 

As she's wanting to keep her children safe from catching the virus. 

Pray for the foster children who find themselves in an

 unloving or abusive family when school used to be their only escape.

Pray for the homeless man who has lost all hope of ever
 seeing his family again or breaking his drug addiction.

Pray for the families that are broken that are now forced within 

confined walls to face their brokenness for maybe the first time.

Pray for the sick patient who is laying all alone in the hospital room,

 not allowed to see any of their loved ones as their health is gradually worsening.

I could go on and on. There are so many broken people right now around the world.

 People crying out for a glimmer of hope, of light, of mercy.

Pray that this Sunday would be that for them. As we spend time with families and remind ourselves of the hope that Christ gave which allows us to be able to face trials with joy, pray that God reveals that same truth to them. Pray that He wraps them in His arms this weekend and touches their hearts. Pray that He opens their eyes, pulls back their shame, and shows them how He has been waiting for them with open arms. 

It's easy for me to feel like I am useless right now and can't do anything to help,
 but God can still use us despite our location.

You can still love the broken this Easter even while sitting on your couch.