Praying for "Mara"

There is a woman- we'll call her Mara.

That's not her name, but Mara means "bitterness."

I'm not sure if Mara knows HOW to speak anything good. Every conversation that I have with her leaves me feeling bummed and sad and ill. She uses every word to condemn, insult, put down, and trash-talk other people. I have not ever heard her compliment someone. I have never heard her say anything positive about anything. Every situation is negative. Everyone is out to do wrong. Nobody has any good in them. Everyone is deceptive. Nobody is good enough.

I can't help but wonder what happened in her life to make her so painfully bitter. I can't imagine living so miserably. I wonder if she even realizes that every thing out of her mouth is negative. I wonder if she ever notices how depressive she is. I wonder how badly she has been hurt in her life to NOT see anything good.

I don't know how to handle her. I am always so uppity and peppy and happy... but my most recent encounter with her sent me to another room in tears.

Heart-broken FOR HER. 

Sad FOR HER. 

PRAYING... FOR HER!

I'm sure you have a Mara in your life...surely someone came to mind in your life as you were reading this. I encourage you to pray for that person!

Pray that they will find the peace and joy of God. 

Pray that HIS love will so fill their lives that there is not any room at all for the bitterness and hatefulness.

Pray that they can discover whatever has hardened their hearts so they can let it go and move into the joy that God has for their life!

 I pray for myself that, before I speak, I ensure that my words will only build up and edify. I pray that I not allow myself to slip into the trap of bitterness. I pray that God will create in my a clean heart and renew a RIGHT spirit within me! I pray that He will keep the joy of my salvation fresh; that my spirit will remain open and willing to serve Him; that when I open my mouth, I will declare HIS praises and sing of HIS righteousness! (Psalm 51:10-15)