Welcome to the Prayers of Rest podcast. I'm your host, Ashrida Choochoo, and today we are praying for

our friends who have struggled with infertility and miscarriage. If that's you, I invite you to personalize this prayer for yourself, for your spouse,

for your family. And if it's not you, then I encourage you to pray this prayer over someone in your

life who is going through infertility, who is struggling with miscarriage and all the heavy burdens that come with a season of loss.

And then text them a note, let them know that you're thinking of them, let them know that you prayed for them,

maybe even send them a link to this episode and encourage them to listen and continue praying for themselves.

It might be exactly what they need today.

So as we begin, take a deep breath as we become aware of God's loving presence around us and within us.

Today's passage comes from Psalm 34, verse 18.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Let's start by reciting God's goodness.

Oh Lord, you are the God who sees.

You are the God who hears or cries.

You're the God who knows the brokenness, the pain, the shattered hopes and expectations.

God, no pain ever escapes your notice.

And no cry is too faint or muffled to be heard by you.

God, thank you that you are close to our grieving friends right now.

And you are the one who promises to never abandon them, to never leave them or forsake them, that even as they walk

through the dark valley of the shadow of death, you are with them.

So take a few moments now to reflect on this relationship with your friend, to ponder in what ways has God

revealed his goodness in their life and in their journey? And how can you praise him specifically

for ways that he has been good in this friendship and in their lives. Let's continue now by expressing our neediness.

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