Devotional Thoughts for the Encourager

  So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. –Luke 11:10-11

It’s not uncommon for God to direct his encourager to someone who has been asking, seeking, and knocking but haven’t experienced that desired answer just yet. They may be becoming discouraged and want to give up and abandon their prayers or pursuits. Reminding them of the promise of God will be refreshing and encouraging. Reminding them not to give up just yet and if one door doesn’t open move to the next because that may be where their answer, solution or blessing is. 

Jesus promises for all who continue to persevere in prayer they will be blessed. God loves to bless his children. He loves to open doors for those who ask and seek. God doesn’t give a time frame. It may not happen right away. But we are to cultivate an attitude of trust and persistence especially when it comes to the promises God has made in his word. 

Encouraging others to continue trusting and knocking will result in receiving the breakthrough they’ve been praying and waiting for.

An Encourager’s Prayer

Sometimes God, you send me to those who need to be encouraged as they ask, seek, and knock. As an encourager, let me have that sense of their need and may I have, not only the right words but draw upon the promises written in your word to strengthen and encourage us. Amen        

 Key Verse to Read and Treasure 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. –Genesis 1:1-3 

God sends his encouragers to those who are waiting for change and growing weary or becoming discouraged. As encourager’s we can remind others of what the presence of God does. In the beginning of creation, the atmosphere was chaotic. There was nothing but molecules and matter bumping against each other. Everything was chaotic but God brought order and put shape to the shapeless. Their lives may resemble chaos and trouble and it’s difficult to see God at work, but a reminder that the presence of God automatically shifts everything around. If life seems to be falling apart God must be in their midst, working and changing. 

Encourager’s can help others look beyond the chaos and shaking to see what God is up to. Even though everything seems to be falling apart, when God is shifting the atmosphere of their lives that trouble or falling apart has good and blessing accompanying it and when the dust finally settles their lives will be all the richer and better. 

A word of encouragement goes a long way to help others wait until the dust settles and be patient in the Lord, knowing he’s shifting the atmosphere and causing the change they need to come about.

An Encourager’s Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for sending me to those who need to be reminded when you’re shifting the atmosphere things only seem chaotic and falling apart, when in reality they are falling into place.  

  And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.” –James 4:13-15, MSG

According to James and many other biblical authors, today’s the day and tomorrow shouldn’t be counted on since we don’t know what will happen tomorrow should tomorrow actually arrive. 

It’s easy to get into the habit of pushing things off until later. Often the Lord will arrange for us to cross paths with those who are doing that, but he wants to encourage them to stay on track or move ahead and accomplish those good things he’s planted in their heart. Whether it’s implementing new dietary habits that will turn their health around, forgiving others before their heart hardens, putting money away for a rainy day, enrolling in a class that will move them closer to their life-goals, or changing to a new job that will be more fulfilling. Our encouragement will help remind them, “yesterday’s gone, we can never get it back. Tomorrow is elusive and never truly within our grasp, but today is our right now to claim and hold and do. 

It’s a good word to remind ourselves and others that today is God’s gift to us to use and enjoy, to be faithful and faith-filled, to be strong and resilient. To make wise choices, be proactive, productive and prayerful. Today is ours to do all the good we can accomplish today so tomorrow we’ll have no regrets. Today is the day God has made possible and has put his covering of grace and blessing over us. Today is a good day.        

An Encourager’s Prayer    

God grant us a right and wise perspective on today and tomorrow. Help me encourage others to use today to its fullest.

 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.—Psalm 23:4

There can be nothing scarier than feeling you are alone as you walk through the storms, trials, and complexities of life. For unbelievers, sharing that they have the protection and guidance of a higher power we identify as God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, can give them the boost of confidence, assurance, and peace they need for those moments and turn out to be the beginnings of a lasting relationship with the Lord. 

Those who already know God will be happy to be reminded that he is with them and will never leave them—not even for one second of their life’s journey. We can help them notice with more intention how Jesus is with them throughout every season and each day.

An Encourager’s Prayer

Jesus, thank you for promising to walk with us daily and through everything and for giving me the words and ways as an encourager to share this truth with others.

  Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above—where Christ holds the highest position. Keep your mind on things above, not on worldly things.–Colossians 3:1, GWT

This can be a good life especially if things are lining up right or the things we desire are happening for us. Good or not, Paul reminds us we should set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. Paul’s not implying that the matters of our life or this world won’t get any of our attention. Of course, we must think about the things of this life in their proper context and not invest more time than they deserve, but Paul says the importance of keeping the things of heaven in focus is not only important, but crucial. 

Considering what Christ has secured for us putting our eternity always before us, always considering heaven will be our forever home, staying close the God now, and how we can please God today should take priority and get our attention above all else. 

The encourager will be blessed to have conversations with others that focus on the matters of eternity. Sometimes they will come out of nowhere with someone we don’t know well or at all and sometimes they will be part of our conversations we have with those we know very well and even intimately. Our best encouragement is a life well lived and ordered. Showing Christ is truly our life and that we have “hidden” our life in him. Actions and heart speak louder than words.

An Encourager’s Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for reminding us of the importance of staying focused on eternity and letting us have those important conversations with others. When these opportunities arise, when words are necessary, grant me to have the right words to share with those who need to realign their priorities and focus. Amen     

  How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” –Isaiah 52:7

Everywhere we go we hear some bad, disappointing or negative news. It’s hard to turn on the TV, pick up our phone, plug into our devices without coming across some news we could have done without. Some have called the daily news nothing but an hour of bad news.

News of wars, death, violence, corruption, political upheaval, economic downturn day after day can get to us after a while. Pretty soon, we don’t want to hear any more bad news.

God sends an encouraging word through those who are willing to take his refreshing message to the weary and worn. What’s the good news we have to share with others? The good news that our God reigns! That our God is still on the throne in heaven! We get to bring good tidings, proclaim the salvation of the Lord and proclaim the Lord’s peace.

In a world where more and more bad news is delivered every day because we bring good news that people can be refreshed through our feet are just as Isaiah said, “beautiful.”

Don’t forget to make yourself available to the Lord to deliver some good news to those who are worn down and worn out through all the bad news they have heard.

An Encourager’s Prayer

Lord, I’m available to you to deliver some good news to those who need to hear that you are still on the throne, that our God reigns. Thank you for making me a messenger of good tidings and peace. People won’t run or cringe when they hear my feet approaching. Amen 

 Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has sent me. Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.–Zechariah 4:9-10

God is the Master encourager! Everyone who has a disposition or spirit of encouraging others get their talent or bent for encouraging others from God. God filled his word up from beginning to end with encouraging messages and promises that help us stay encouraged on our journey and are good to share with those needing to be encouraged on their journey or circumstances.

Zerubbabel was rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, but he wasn’t feeling very confident about his small beginnings to such a large project. God told Zerubbabel not to despise or think poorly about his small beginnings. In fact, God was rejoicing in the start Zerubbabel had made. 

People who are concerned about the Lord’s thoughts need to know he’s not despising their efforts. He’s not judging them for the little they are able to do, but, like Zerubbabel he’s rejoicing and applauding they were courageous enough to start. 

We can encourage others to make their small beginnings by using the words of the Master Encourager himself. We can help them know he’s pleased with them and will help them from beginning to end. 

An Encourager’s Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for connecting me with those who need encouraging as they make their small beginnings. Your word and promises of help are more than enough to help them know you don’t despise their small efforts or starts but rejoice they are beginning in faith.     

  To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen –Jude 24-25

We’re always being sent to those concerned about their eternity. They wonder if they’ll actually get into heaven. They may have anxiety over what will happen when they are standing before God on the last day. 

When I was a teen I used to worry that when I met God he would play the tape of my life and everything I had ever done wrong would be enough to convict me and send me to hell. I didn’t understand fully that Jesus was the one who was defending me and that my name had been engraved in the palms of his hands when he was nailed to the Cross of Calvary. I didn’t know He was already interceding for me as he sits at the Father’s right hand.

God’s Word is rich with encouragement. From Genesis to Revelation every promise can be treasured up in the heart and mind worried about what will happen to them when they stand at the judgment seat of God. God’s not waiting to condemn us. He wants us to live with him forever. That’s why He sent Jesus to save us and die for our sin and the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us back home to him. That’s wonderful news to share with others. That’s wonderful news to tuck in our heart as well.       

An Encourager’s Prayer

Jesus, when I am sent to those who are worried about getting into heaven help me to have the right words. Help me be convinced and assured in my own heart of faith so my words of encouragement are not just words but a true understanding that gives way to peace of mind.  

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. –Matthew 5:6,

We have many essential needs that need to be satisfied while living on earth: our need for food, water, oxygen, clothing, and shelter. A few more that are nice to have but even if we don’t have them, we can survive: companionship and work we enjoy. 

When he preached his Sermon on the Mount Jesus mentioned several conditions people could have that would end up being a blessing. One of those were hungering and thirsting after righteousness. Relationship with God is also an essential. When we hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God, we are doing more than seeking a moral high ground, we are wanting to be closer to God.

When the Holy Spirit crosses our paths with those who are trying to satisfy their deeper need for God with things of the world, we have work to do in Jesus’ name. Our task becomes presenting Jesus in such a way the seeker wants to be his, wants him above all other things and recognizes as a result of the Holy Spirit’s stirrings and our encouragement that there is nothing better than having Jesus as their own. 

Jesus has promised when he is lifted up from the earth, he will draw all people to himself (John 12:31-32). That means we don’t have to be pushy or try to convince others they need Jesus, but we are to be observant, intuitive, listening, and saying only what the Holy Spirit says. 

The blessings in store those who satisfy their hunger and thirst by seeking the righteousness of God are too numerous to write in one space. They are beyond words and beyond measure. They are higher than this life and without end.

An Encourager’s Prayer

Holy Spirit, you make sure my path crosses with those who are hungry for God, only they don’t always realize that’s what they are hungry for. Some will be attempting to quell that hunger and thirst through worldly means when I am sent to the hungering I pray, show me how to encourage for Christ and not get in the way of the work of transformation you plan to do in their life. 

 I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened. He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn’t slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God. –Psalm 40:1-3

At times God will couple us with those who are struggling emotionally and despairing; feeling a lot like king David when he prayed to God about being in a pit of despair.

Some may be caregivers to others, some may be parenting rebellious children, some may be enduring difficult marriages, some may be dealing with their own declining health, some may be struggling after a divorce or being unemployed for a longer period of time than is comfortable. Some may be struggling financially, and others may simply be weary of life.

The reasons for despairing are as vast as the number of stars in the sky. Regardless of why people are despairing, God sends us to them because he knows we know a good word to share with them. We know how to plant the seeds that will result in being hopeful and release the shade that has kept them in darkness, to expose the light of God.

When God sends us to those in despair we don’t have to try and pull a lot of magic tricks from our bag of encouragement, we are not sent to give false hope, and we don’t have to lay worldly, platitudes upon them. The promises of God are rich enough to be the tool we use, beautiful enough to become the ministry we encourage the despairing.      

As we minister to the despairing God won’t leave us on our own; we’ll have his help. Just like the despairing, all we need is patience and trust in the Lord who does great and awesome things. His word is adequate to minister to the despairing soul and its more than adequate to help us as we minister to the despairing. 

Whenever you start feeling down or like you are in a pit of despair that’s a great time to reach out to God and it’s a great time to talk to others that won’t judge or criticize you, but support and help you. Don’t resolve yourself to stay in the pits of despair or withdraw from God. Don’t be prideful and refuse to receive either God’s or the help of others. They are the rope that will pull you up.

An Encourager’s Prayer

Heavenly Father, at times you send me to those who are suffering in pits of despair. I know at these times you will supply me with all I need and give me the words to share that will let light into their darkness. I know you’ll help me plant seeds that will sprout and grow. Soon, the souls plagued with despair will see there is a way out. Thank you for entering into the despairing and using me in the lives of others especially those in pits of despair.       

 God is our safe place and our strength. He is always our help when we are in trouble. —Psalm 46:1, NLV

Trouble can come at any time. At times, we can see it coming like a dark storm cloud looming on the horizon, and at other times it seems to come out of nowhere. It’s one thing when trouble comes and goes over a brief span of time. Like the storm that comes quickly but is over in just a few short minutes or hours.  

Everyone experiences periodic troubles in their lifetime. Troubles that have easy solutions and don’t require all our energy or can be addressed using the resources we have at hand. But when trouble comes and does not lift or dissipate within a short amount of time, when trouble comes and lingers, shifting all of life, that’s altogether different. At those times we need to be encouraged to hold on, to trust in God, to not give up.

God sends his encouragers to those in trouble. Encouragers are not sent to fix problems or even offer solutions, but to bring a good and timely word from the Lord that will encourage the heart of others as they endure and work through trouble. 

The psalmists wrote when our world is shaking and surging, everything feeling as though its giving way or falling into the heart of the sea God is our safe place, our refuge, and our strength; he is our reliable help in trouble, and we don’t need to fear. 

We can encourage others by reminding them of God’s nature, power, and presence. to do so, it’s not the encourager’s task to do things that change circumstances, only be a constant reminder in the presence, power, love, and might of God. God is faithful and sovereign to reveal his own solutions and has already determined the hour our troubles will lift and be resolved.

An Encourager’s Prayer

Lord, at times I am sent to encourage those experiencing trouble that won’t let up. Those who need to be encouraged to hang on, keep going, and trust in you with all their heart. Show me how to encourage those enduring trouble and trials.           

 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance….Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. –John 12:3,7 

Who doesn’t need to have a little encouragement when they are facing trials or going through storms? Even the strongest person could benefit from true encouragement as they endure tough times. Sometimes our encouragement of those who already strong and spiritually grounded is like “singing to the choir.” We won’t be sharing anything they don’t already know, but even so our encouragement will be welcomed. They will receive our words as affirmations   from the Lord, confirming what they already feel or perceive about their circumstances, future, or activity. 

When Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with the fragrant oil before his arrest and burial it was not only in preparation for his approaching crucifixion, but it was also a Spirit directed act of encouragement for the Son of God as He drew close to his time of intense suffering. Along the way God made sure to encourage His Son through affirming words such as were spoken on the day of His baptism when the Father told the Son, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matt. 4:17) and the ways the Holy Spirit caused things to fall in place just as they should, when they should.  

We should never withhold messages of encouragement from the strong of faith assuming they will be encouraging themselves, on the contrary, God will send us to encourage the strong of heart and faith at just the right time and our words will be a heavenly message that they are needing to hear in that moment. 

An Encourager’s Prayer

God sometimes you place me in the life of those who are already strong of faith and determined to glorify you in their circumstances. I pray for the right words to share.           

  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse—Romans 1:19-20

Every day we come across those who swear they can’t see any sign of God, anywhere. Not in this world nor in their individual circumstances. They don’t see God in creation. Not in the birds of the air or the beautiful fish in the sea, nor the flowers that bloom everywhere or bodies of water, not even in their own existence. 

God purposely and intentionally creates interceptions with the unseeing and unbelieving. Sending the faith-filled and faithful encourager to them to point out the things they are overlooking. Many are like that first Russian cosmonaut after returning from the world’s first trip into outer space and flippantly saying, “I didn’t see God anywhere.” It takes those who have learned to recognize God in everything, to show them He is near them, and He is out there in the universe covering and hovering. 

As an encourager you can take time to consider God’s existence and the ways He shows Himself, and because you know God you can easily and freely share with others what you know and have seen, helping them see they have been seeing Him all along. 

The Apostle Paul says since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities have been clearly seen. Many could not see God when He was standing in front of the in the Person of Jesus Christ. Their eyes didn’t see because their heart wasn’t willing to believe. It’s one of the privileges of the encourager to help others see Him.    

If the cosmonaut had been looking, he would have seen God was the one holding him up and keeping his spaceship in the air. He would have known his entire journey was successful only because God had both allowed and helped pull it off. 

When Moses was leading the Israelites through the desert he asked God, “Show me your glory.” And every day God did just that. From the time God appeared to him in the burning bush all the way through the desert God showed up from beginning to end and He does it for us from beginning to end. When we have the unseeing and unbelieving to encourage, we can pray and ask God the same and He will do just that. 

An Encourager’s Prayer

Dear God, so many miss every visible proof You provide of Your existence. If they opened the eyes of their heart they would see You. As an encourager help me to show them how You are in this world and in their circumstances.   

 Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared—Matthew 8:1-3.

When the chronically ill read stories of healing in the Bible they might have a lot of conflicting emotions and thoughts. They see healing is possible, they see Jesus was willing to heal, they are hopeful for their own healing but on the other hand they are discouraged because, as of yet they have not been healed. They believe in Jesus, they are people of faith, they trust in Jesus but still suffer with their condition(s).

We can encourage the chronically ill, not by giving them false hopes. After all, none of us can know for sure that they or us will experience healing of body this side of heaven. The world gives false hopes but since we encourage others through the Word and promises of God we cannot give false hope. However, we can encourage them based upon the nature and character of God, which is loving and compassionate, nurturing and strengthening.

We can’t guarantee they will be healed today but we can guarantee that Jesus will help them every day. We might even have our own testimony of how Jesus has sustained and helped us with our chronic conditions. We can confidently guarantee that God has nothing except their good in mind. Just as He promised the prophet Jeremiah, “I know the plans I have for you, plans for your good and not your destruction (Jer. 29:11). That’s a good word that encourages those struggling with all kinds of chronic illness and disease. 

An Encourager’s Prayer

Thank you for a way to encourage the chronically ill that’s not based on giving false hope but pointing them to your character and nature, there’s no better or more reliable encouragement than that.      

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth—Psalm 139:13-15, ESV

As an encourager serving the Lord, God will purposely arrange for you to cross paths with many who are nervous about how well God knows them. Even those who are not aware that God is their true, Supreme Designer and Creator. These can always be a joy to encourage and help see how extensively God is involved in their existence: if it were not for God knitting them together so intricately, they would not exist today. 

Your encouragement of them could be the cause for their new or renewed relationship with their heavenly Father, seeing how much He loves and cares for them, beginning at their creation. They may turn from dislike about themselves or the way they are made up, to appreciating and even loving parts they only criticized before. As you point to the four characteristics of God (Omniscience, Omnipresence, Omnipotence, and holiness) can give them a new perspective on God’s involvement and presence in their daily life.

An Encourager’s Prayer

Thank You, God for arranging my path to cross with those who need to be encouraged about how intricately and wondrously You made them. This is always an opportunity to help someone see how involved You are in their daily life and that You are always with them, everywhere.    

  When I awake I am still with you—Psalm 139:18

There are all kinds of reasons people are fearful or become anxious at night. They may have experienced a traumatic event that happened at night. Feel confident and strong during the day but night is another matter. When the sun sets, they become fearful and anxious about being away from God’s care and watchful eye. 

David’s Psalm 139 reassures us that there is nowhere we can go and God is not with us. Even if we go up to the heavens or make our bed in hell or settle on the far side of the sea God is with us. David was confident even if the darkness hid him even the darkness would be as light to God. 

The darkness of nighttime is no different to God than the light of day. We can encourage the sleepless to close their eyes in peace God will not leave them. 

The prophet Zephaniah says the Lord exults (sings) over us all night (Zeph. 3:17). Like a mother sings over her newborn. We go to sleep but when we awake, we are still with God and God is still with us. He has never left us; never taken his eyes off us for one second of the night. He’s just waiting for us to open our eyes and start our day. God will go with us all day long. God doesn’t sleep nor need rest like humans do. He keeps watch day and night. We’re never without his guarding, covering, or protection.  

An Encourager’s Prayer

God, thank You for staying with us all night. Your protective covering is always with us. I can confidently encourage other about your covering and protection both during the day and at night. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forevermore—Hebrews 13:8

Has the Lord brought you to some who are grieving so your gift of encouragement can be shared with them and lift them up? You may even have a special and effective way of encouraging those who grieve, and the Spirit wants to use your gift and talent to minister to those who grieve.

“It’s been said grief is not what we expect, and its reality is nothing we can imagine.” We can’t change the unpredictability of grief, but we can point others to and encourage them with knowing though grief can be surprisingly difficult, God through Jesus Christ, is the sameness they can rely upon in their time of sorrow. 

As encouragers we can’t tell the grieving how they will feel tomorrow or even hours from now, but we can assure them that Jesus is going to be with them, helping them as they ride the rollercoaster of grief. We can assure the grieving that the love, compassion, and nurture of Jesus is with them every day of their journey. Jesus will never leave their side and He is faithful to help them move out of grief gently and lovingly. 

We can assure them though the journey of grief cannot be predicted Jesus will help them navigate every twist and turn, up and down. 

An Encourager’s Prayer

Jesus thank you for the strong and comforting words of encouragement I can share with others who are grieving.      

Older women likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good—Titus 2:3, NASB

As Paul wrote the young pastor Titus, he instructed him to identify some older women in the congregation who could establish a mentoring ministry, teaching the younger women how to live a Christian life and take good care of their families. Paul said the women Titus chose to conduct a mentoring ministry should not be those who were enslaved to wine or given to malicious gossip. 

Today we can encourage others—not just women—to mentor those coming behind them to lead good and godly lives. Our own ministry of encouragement is threefold: one part example, one part spoken, and one part through creative, Spirit-led ways of encouraging. 

We can have a good word of encouragement to share with others, saying all the right things but it’s our actions that will make our verbal encouragement credible. 

Our own care of family and others will speak louder than the words we share. In fact, it is the loving care we show family and others that have the greatest and most profound influence. 

An Encourager’s Prayer

Heavenly Father You are our safe place to navigate our grief. As I come in contact with those who are grieving any loss, I will remember to encourage them by pointing them in your direction. Amen 

  When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven—Nehemiah 1:4

Nehemiah had received some very disappointing news. It seemed the exiles that had survived captivity were now dealing with the fact that Jerusalem’s walls had been destroyed. They had survived their time in exile and being captive in Babylon but now they had no sense of being safe from enemy invasion. This news grieved Nehemiah to the point all he could do was weep, fast and mourn before God. God didn’t push Nehemiah away nor tell him to snap out of it, God comforted him, and He also showed Nehemiah what to do next. Nehemiah would take some time off from his job as a cupbearer to the king and return to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding of the walls.    

Not everyone is a safe place to navigate and process our grief but those we encourage who are experiencing the deep emotions following loss can be encouraged to take their grief to the Lord. God knows their grief, weeping and mourning is not a sign of faithlessness. On the contrary God recognizes their grief and heavy heart as their pure worship. 

As an encourager you may have your own testimony of how God is a safe place to grieve. As Paul reminds us “God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the same comfort we ourselves have received from God (2 Cor. 1:4). 

Comforting those who grieve by pointing them to the comfort of God is an excellent way to encourage them.

An Encourager’s Prayer

Heavenly Father You are our safe place to navigate our grief. As I come in contact with those who are grieving any loss, I will remember to encourage them by pointing them in your direction. Amen 

  The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate. “Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”—Genesis 3:12-13 

When our children were growing up, we didn’t allow them to make excuses for why they had not completed a chore or have an assignment they were to turn in for school. We encouraged them to face it and tell the truth about why it wasn’t done. Sometimes they would be surprised at how lenient we were when they did that. They may have been watching television and didn’t do the dishes even though it was their turn, or they hadn’t completed their homework because they were too busy playing. Even today they don’t tend to make excuses about things but face the truth and deal with the consequences.

When we encourage others—young and old—to put their excuses away we are helping them find a new way of living. Helping them be delivered from the enemy’s clutches and find release from anxiety and fear. Their consciences are unburdened, and they feel much lighter and freer living in their truth and authentically. 

An Encourager’s Prayer

Lord, sometimes I find the need to encourage others to stop making excuses. Thank You for helping me see firsthand that no more excuses take power away from the enemy within and without. Amen     

 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.—I John 4:8

Encouraging others to know God through His love is a seed of encouragement that keeps sprouting and growing. Helping others see God’s love-prints is like that old saying we can feed a person for one day but teaching that person how to fish so they can feed themselves is even better. As good as it is to encourage others by sharing a love message from God in their day is a good and worthy activity but helping those you encourage learn to spot God’s love-prints in their life and to know God through His love is a great gift of encouragement that never stops giving.

An Encourager’s Prayer   

God of love help me do more than plant daily seeds of love in the heart of others, help me to encourage others to know You through Your loving acts towards them. Amen 

This is what the LORD, the God of Israel says: “Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.”—Jeremiah 30:2 

Journaling can be a great way to process our emotions. Sometimes it’s difficult to talk about our painful feelings or life experiences. We might find writing them out to be a good way of sorting through them. 

As we encourage others to journal, we can point to the Bible as a good example of journaling. The Books of Wisdom and the Psalms especially, read as journal entries. Solomon journaled his wisdom shared with those who came into his courts and the Psalms are pages and pages of journaled prayers and conversations with God.

Journaling isn’t just for women, but men, the young and the old. We can journal on paper, in fancy books, or on our computers or other devices. As we encourage others to journal, we are simply repeating the words God spoke to Jeremiah long ago.

An Encourager’s Prayer

Heavenly Father You have been telling people since the world began to write things down. We have the Bible today because the Holy Spirit inspired others to write out what they saw, heard, and received from you. I’ll encourage others to journal their thoughts and emotions also. Amen       

 O God, thou You are my God; early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for you; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water—Psalm 63:1, NKJV

Psalm 63 is a psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. David knew the benefit of seeking the Lord at the very beginning of his day.

Are you like David? Have you also learned the benefits of turning to God at the beginning of each day? How starting the day out with God can help strengthen you for the day’s journey, give you that needed assurance and peace of mind, the focus you need as you begin to tackle the tasks in front of you? 

When we encourage others to begin their day by spending time with God, we are letting them in on the same secret we’ve discovered: that God is the best Friend anyone can have in life. That God will lead and guide them, supply all their needs and be that spiritual power they will lack otherwise. 

An Encourager’s Prayer

Lord, I’ve learned the most productive practice I can employ first thing in the morning is turning to You. Help me encourage others to do the very same so they can experience Your presence and power in their day and life. Amen   

 He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep—Psalm 121:3-4

What an encouraging and comforting word to share with those who are fearful. Letting them know God is their Guardian God who does not doze nor sleep.

Israel had enemies on all sides. They had watchmen stationed on every wall whose job it was to keep watch, but no human can ever be as reliable as God Almighty and there were times enemies invaded despite their skilled and diligent watchmen.

We have physical enemies in this life, and we also have the invisible forces of evil looking to do us hard but just like the Israelites we have a great, unmatchable Guardian God who does not doze off nor sleep, to watch over us.

There’s not one movement we can make and not one movement our enemy can make that God is not aware. Nothing gets by God. Knowing God is an on high and ever-present Guardian allows us to go about our day and sleep in peace at night. We can close our eyes because God never closes His!

An Encourager’s Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for such a strong and assuring promise to share with others! Let those I meet and encourage today be reminded of Your faithful guarding and have that peace they need and is so hard to come by. Amen      

 He will quiet you with his love—Zephaniah 3:17

God wants to quiet us with his love. His love is powerful enough to accomplish that.

My little granddaughter who is only three gets anxious whenever her mother is away for too long. She loves her older siblings who are watching over her, but it’s nothing like my daughter’s presence that can introduce the calm she needs to feel.

We may not recognize it as adults, but when we are away from our Heavenly Father, we become fretful also. we may not show it like my three-year-old granddaughter. It will show up in other more “adult” ways of acting out, still our fretting is obvious to the Father. He comes to calm us with His love.

Sometimes those you encourage who may be anxious may not realize they only need to draw near the Father, and they will feel much better, they will feel His calm wash over them. 

As an encourager there are many ways you can remind others about God’s quieting spirit and presence. God will give you creative ways to reach and encourage the anxious.

An Encourager’s Prayer

Heavenly Father thank you for this timely reminder how I can encourage the anxious. I will watch and listen out for those who feel anxious, and I will use Zephaniah’s word to encourage them. Amen              

The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:5-7

Paul has a good word and sound counsel to encourage others and also be encouraged ourselves. 

Knowing God gives us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. Can help others and ourselves know it’s God’s will that we have His spirit of discernment, and that God supplies everything we need to take the initiative to make the changes needed in our lives. Knowing God supplies wisdom, discernment, and strength can take away anxiety and worry which is counterproductive in our quest for peace. 

Since God’s wisdom is adequate to give us the answers we need, we must be purposeful in abandoning out tendency to worry and instead become serious about asking for God for the insight we need. God’s promise to give us all things, including discernment can let peace guard our heart and mind, even while we bring our questions and requests to Him.

An Encourager's Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are truly the giver of all good gifts and discernment is a good gift we all need in this life. Help me to trust You and be able to distinguish those situations one from the other so I can live wisely and confidently. Amen 

  In times of trouble, may the LORD answer your cry. May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm. May he send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem. May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings. May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the LORD answer all your prayers—Psalm 20:1-5. 

Praise God for good friends and for those who lovingly, patiently sow encouragement into the heart of others. What peace, confidence, and hope will enter the heart and mind of the one distressed, the one assailed by troubles and trials when this psalm of blessing is spoken over them.  

In our hour of distress there is nothing better than knowing our God of heaven and earth is listening and that we will be kept safe from harm and strengthened by His power. 

Furthermore, can you imagine the joy of hearing someone ask on your account that the Lord would bless you by granting your heart’s desire and make all your plans succeed? They will leave your presence with a sense of hope and joy that was not there when you entered.  

There’s so much encouragement nestled in God’s Word that can be shared with others which will do better than all the money in the bank can provide. 

An Encourager's Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for providing so much in Your Word that can be shared with others to encourage them on their journey. Amen   

 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God—Ephesians 3:19

Have you heard it said, “You cannot pour from an empty vessel.” That makes sense, doesn’t it? If there’s nothing there, there’s nothing to pour.

Our little granddaughter was visiting. She enjoys drinking lemonade but when she looked in the refrigerator it wasn’t there. Instead, the empty pitcher was on the counter. After washing it I did not have a chance to make more lemonade. 

“Nana, it’s empty! There’s nothing to pour!”  

Like the pitcher needing to be refilled before there was anything to pour, when we are empty spiritually, we have nothing to pour out to others. As encouragers we cannot encourage others if we are not filled up with the word of God. Filled up with faith in God. Filled up with hope. As we return to the word of God, we are refilled. We have something encouraging from God’s word to share with others.

An Encourager's Prayer

Heavenly Father, I cannot pour from an empty spirit. I pray, fill me up so you can use me to encourage others. Amen

  David encouraged himself in the Lord his God—I Samuel 30:6

When the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag they not only burned it down they took captive everyone in it. By the time David and his men arrived they discovered their wives were gone and also their sons and daughters. They all broke down and wept until they couldn’t weep anymore. Afterward the men turned on David in their distress and threatened to stone him. David turned to the Lord and was encouraged in Him. 

In their distress David couldn’t count on the men to encourage him. He couldn’t expect them to. But he didn’t need to depend on anyone for that David knew where to go to be encouraged. David knew how to turn to the Lord. 

While it’s nice to be encouraged by others, the person who is spiritually gifted to encourage, the one who has poured God’s word and promises into others to encourage them knows how where to turn and how to be encouraged in the Lord. 

At every opportunity you are encouraging others based upon the Word of God you are also planting seeds of encouragement deep in your own spirit that blossom at the time you need to recall and apply them, personally. 

The reward is two-fold: as you encourage others in the Lord you experience His joy and blessing, and when you need to be encouraged in the Lord, His Word is already within you.

An Encourager's Prayer

Thank You God for the example of David coming to you for encouragement during a time others had turned on him may we also remember you are our greatest source of encouragement. Amen   

Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds—Hebrews 10:23- NASB

It’s with a sincere heart we encourage others to continue in their faith in the Lord and perform good deeds in His name. At times, people may be suspicious since the world is full of those who have hidden motives and want to manipulate and control others. 

Consistency in encouraging others based upon the Word of God will support the encourager’s pure motives and heart. Like Barnabas, people will come to know our motivation to encourage others is real and from a pure heart that wants to please the Lord and nothing more. 

The world provokes, stirs, and incites others to do what they want and even to accomplish the devil’s work, but those in the Lord with a spirit and heart of encouragement, stir, provoke, and encourage others to do those things that are pleasing to the Lord. That’s not only a great but a rewarding work to keep on doing in Jesus’ name.    

An Encourager's Prayer

Jesus, thank You for those who persevere in the work of encouraging others. May they also be encouraged to keep serving You through their gift. Amen 

 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing—I Thessalonians 5:11  

You may not think of what you do as being a gift from the Holy Spirit, but it is. You may not think encouraging others as one of the ways you and Jesus are a team, but you are! In fact, Jesus is delighted to have you on His team. He knows He can depend upon you to lift somebody up and to share Him with others. 

Paul was a great encourager. And even more gifted with the spirit or gift of encouragement was his ministry partner, Barnabas. Barnabas was well known for his spirit of encouragement. Paul and Barnabas made a beautiful team. 

They must have planted so many good seeds in the hearts of others. And opened the door for the Lord to be able to enter hearts with ease. As Barnabas encouraged and Paul preached the hearts of unbelievers were persuaded for the Lord and accepted Jesus willingly and eagerly.  

You may not hear it from others. You may not even think much about it but know that the Lord is paying attention to the good you do, and the Spirit is excited to pour more encouragement into you because you share it so well with others. 

High five encourager! Keep on doing just as you have been! 

An Encourager's Prayer

Jesus, thank you for your mighty band of encouragers. They help bring so many people into the kingdom of God through their encouraging words. Amen