Sunday morning worship service was beautiful as always, but this Sunday was different for our family. My grandson and I attended services; his sister was not feeling well. After our pastor had finished his sermon, he motioned for five people to come to the altar because he sensed in his spirit that there were five people on the verge of giving up.

A young couple was the first two to approach the altar, followed by a young woman. My grandson, who was nine years old at the time, turned to me and said, “That’s me, I need to go up there.”

“Go ahead,” I encouraged, as he walked up to the altar to be prayed for. Just as he reached the altar, another young boy, who had been sitting next to him during the service also made his way to the altar for prayer. To see both boys go to the altar shocked me. I had no idea my grandson was so grieved to the point of giving up, and the other young man wouldn’t even hold my grandson’s hand during morning prayer as the pastor requested, we all do.

As the church watched both young people approach the altar, you could hear sniffles began to fill the atmosphere. Tears filled my eyes as I watched my grandson burst into tears during prayer by the youth minister. We had a trying week in court, again. But this time he saw his father, the man that abused him and his family members that he had not seen in two years. Although, my grandchildren handled the situation well, little did we know they were carrying the burden of the matter on their shoulders.

After we returned home from church services, my grandson announced as we were getting out of the car, “Whew, I feel much better, I needed that!” It warmed my heart to know that his heart was much lighter than when we went to services that morning. He had cast all his cares on the Lord, and in return he received peace. I hope the other young man, young woman and the young couple did also.

This is a friendly reminder, that no matter how young, or how old we are, God still cares about us, and He will take our griefs and sorrows if we are willing to give them to Him. Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) reminds, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your peace. Thank You that we have a resting place in Your love that we can run to any time of the day or night. Thank You for meeting people in their pain and for giving them the strength to endure to the end. If there are more people contemplating giving up, please send Your comfort their way also. May Your peace envelope them like a warm blanket. And may their hearts be filled with joy instead of sorrow. In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, amen!