Weeping for the Lost & Broken (Lent Devotion) - Thursday, March 21
Weeping for the Lost & Broken
And when Jesus drew near and saw the city, He wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes." (Luke 19:41-42)
At Haskell LIGHT, we reach out to help the lost and broken. We welcome them, pray with them, and teach them about God’s ways. We share the love and restoring power of God found in Jesus. Sometimes, the people we help dedicate their lives to Jesus. Sometimes, they do not.
A year ago, Gretchen* came through our door looking for a way out of poverty, abuse, and drugs. She had grown up on both the reservation and in the city. Like many Native Americans from both of these environments, she was hurting, lost, and broken, but she had heard about God’s forgiveness at one of our Bible studies. Not long after her first visit, she asked to be baptized.
Gretchen invited May* and Ollie* to find a new way of living. They started coming to Haskell LIGHT with some of their kids. May then invited her sister Martha.* All of these people had experienced much trauma and brokenness in their lives. They felt trapped and knew they needed help to prevent the next generation from the same experiences. More Bible studies and prayers and baptisms happened.
Now, May and Ollie are getting married! They continue to grow in their faith. Their children are safe and happy. What great news!
However, things do not always work out the way we hope. Today, Gretchen and Martha are back in their communities, as lost and broken people once more.
We know we do not have any power to change the hearts of people. That is God’s job. Our job is to pray for and with them as we continue to share God’s free message of salvation. Some of our prayers include tears of sadness, shed for our lost brothers and sisters that they might see and live in God’s ways of peace.
Dear Father of all people, hear our prayers and bring the broken and lost to you. May they experience your forgiveness and healing power. Do not let the enemy of their souls capture them back into darkness. In the name of Jesus, our Prince of Peace, Amen.
Deacon Bob Prue (Rosebud Sioux)
Lawrence, Kansas
*Names were changed to protect the privacy of those we serve.