One of the two men standing at our front door said he was from the FBI. A local police officer accompanied him. They certainly had our attention when they asked if we were the parents of Luke (not his real name). We invited them to come inside and join us around our kitchen table on that summer evening. They informed us that our son had been arrested.
We had raised our children for the Lord. How could this be possible? Unfortunately, it was true.
My humiliation was so great that I found it hard to tell anyone what had happened because I wasn’t sure whom I could trust not to gossip. My family walked through a dark time, feeling very alone.
There are broken, wounded, and incredibly vulnerable people in every church who are suffering themselves from a painful ordeal or have a close family member who is. These heartbreaks may include:
- separation or domestic violence
- arrest and court dates with possible jail or prison sentence
- drug abuse and residential rehab for drugs
- suicide attempt and inpatient treatment
- molestation or rape.
Coming Alongside
The following are some ways to pray with, and for, friends going through any bitter affliction:
- When you find out they are suffering a heartbreaking situation, ask how, specifically, you can pray for them and their family. Follow up frequently.
- Assure them you can be trusted to keep information confidential.
- Tell them you care for all their family members and will pray for every person by name. A private tragedy impacts each family member differently.
- Pray for God’s grace, peace, and presence in their lives during their ordeal. They will most likely ask why God is allowing this trial. Gently pray with them to find a place of acceptance of the situation.
- If your friend is the victim of a crime, pray for emotional and physical healing. Include healing from flashbacks, along with grace and stamina to endure the investigation and court dates. If you have the opportunity, compassionately suggest professional Christian counseling.
- Pray with them for specifics about the next court date, next jail visit, next family counseling session, etc., as these come up.
- Lovingly and consistently pray for grace and encouragement for them and their family.
When you take the risk and gently step into their lives, they will never forget the way God provided someone to be there for them during the bitterness of their trial.
M.A. VINCENT is a freelance writer from the Chicago area. She is involved in her church and community, including pro-life prayer ministry.
