For those who mourn ...

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. -Matthew 5:4

I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. -John 14:16

These promises from Jesus are so meaningful to me as my family mourns the death of my brother Bill.

Consider how the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia defines Comforter:

kum'-fer-ter: This is translation of the word patakletos, in the Johannine writings. In the Gospel it occurs in John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7, and refers to the Holy Spirit. The word means literally, "called to one's side" for help. The translation "Comforter" covers only a small part of the meaning as shown in the context. The word "Helper" would be a more adequate translation.

Such is the help that people who mourn need. My prayer for my family, and for all who mourn today, is that the Holy Spirit would call people to walk along side of us in our grief. That hurting people would know that God loves them because of the many ways that we show them that we care.

Amen

---

Please visit The Prayer List and pray with us.