Lord,
sometimes I feel hurt
by the actions of friends
and I don’t know
how to handle it.
I’m reluctant
to write people off.
I don’t want
to bear a grudge
or to be filled with bitterness.
I want to respond
to this hurt
in a Christian way.
But I don’t know how.

“Claire,
always remember
that everyone you meet
is broken,
struggling to come to terms
with their own humanity.
Always remember
that everyone you meet
is precious in my eyes.

“Sometimes
when a friend hurts you
the best thing that you can do
is to love them from a distance
through prayer.

“So pray.

“Pray for yourself –
for healing
and for the grace to forgive.
Pray for the person who hurt you
that they may be healed.
Pray for your relationship
with that person
and entrust that relationship
to my loving care.

“Love that person from a distance
through prayer,
trust in me
and all will be well.”

© Claire Murray, 1st November 2014