WHEN YOU ARE FEELING LONELY

Lord Jesus,

There are times in my life when I feel so lonely.  My family doesn’t understand me, and my friends don’t seem to care.  Even when I am around people, I feel alone.  It’s a glum feeling, Lord to think that no one else understands what I am going through.  Does anyone care? Is there someone I can count on, a companion, to help me overcome these difficult times?

Don’t hide yourself from me now.  Make real to me Your life giving presence.  You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence (Act 2:28).  Thank You for being a very present help in trouble (Ps. 46:1)

Speak to me Lord.  Help me hear what You are saying in these times of silence.  May I find comfort in the stillness of Your presence (Ps. 46:10).  Please give me the grace to be patient in the quiet times, to learn from them, and to use them as a springboard to search out the deeper things of You.

Show me how to redeem my periods of silence the great men and women in Your Word.  Give me the anointing of Joseph, who bore his loneliness in slavery; of David, who lived alone while being pursued by Saul; of Moses, who climbed Mt. Sinai by himself while his people worshipped idols;  of Paul, who forfeited his relationships to follow You; of Your Son, Jesus who died on the cross while his best friends denied knowing him.

But You also gave Your servants a special friend, a trustworthy companion.  To Moses, You gave Joshua.  To David, You gave Jonathan.  To Paul, You gave Timothy. Send me a friend, Lord. Send me someone I can pray with, talk with, laugh and cry with, someone who understands me and will help ease my loneliness.

Lord, these men encountered seasons of loneliness, but they saw them as opportunities to draw closer to You. 
So give me Your perspective.  May I sense You drawing me closer to You.