The following message and prayer was originally sent by Upper Room on March 8, 2008:
“Today’s Scripture
If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up (Psalm 27:10 – NRSV).
MANY people living with HIV and AIDS distance themselves from God because they think they are sinners, failures in life. But I take my HIV status as a call to action. The cry of my heart is for a cure for HIV and AIDS worldwide.
Our community, friends, and family sometimes discriminate against and discourage those of us who are HIV-positive. Friends may avoid us because they think that people will assume they are also HIV-positive if they are seen with us. Family members may push us away because they think our HIV status lowers the family’s dignity.
Yet I have hope. God saved our country during apartheid and bloodshed among our people. We prayed for peace during elections, and there was peace. God is with us, and God’s presence can bring miracles. We who are HIV-positive can forgive, forget, stop pointing fingers, and refuse to retaliate in anger toward those who discriminate against us and belittle us. This is the way of Christ, and it is the way I choose.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, give us wisdom to follow your way and to be honest with others and ourselves. Teach us to love without counting the cost as we pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Amen.
Thought for the Day
Jesus draws close to those whom the world avoids.
Prayer Focus
Those who need to forgive.”
CABSA messages for Psalm 27 can also be found through the following two links:
http://www.cabsa.org.za/content/wait-lord-midst-your-problems
http://www.cabsa.org.za/content/when-faith-experiences-difficulties-life
Author: (Unknown)
Language: English