READ 2 Corinthians 1
The Lord comforts us in our affliction so we may comfort others.
 
INSIGHT
There is a fellowship of suffering. Someone who has suffered the same things we have suffered is better able to minister to us. And if we have been comforted in our suffering, we are better able to comfort someone else who experiences the same difficulties. Suffering can make us compassionate toward others. As the sufferings of Christ overflow into our lives, so can the compassion of Christ overflow from our lives into the lives of others.
 
PRAYER
Praise the Lord that Jesus was willing to lay down His immediate comfort for our sakes:
Hallelujah!
Praise the name of the Lord.
Give praise, you servants of the Lord  
Who stand in the house of the Lord,
In the courts of the house of our God.  
Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
Sing praise to his name, for it is delightful.  
For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel as his treasured possession.  
For I know that the Lord is great;
Our Lord is greater than all gods.
Blessed be the Lord from Zion;  
He dwells in Jerusalem. Hallelujah!
(Psalm 135:1-5, 21).
 
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger;
Do not discipline me in your wrath.  
Be gracious to me, Lord, for I am weak;  
Heal me, Lord, for my bones are shaking;  
My whole being is shaken with terror.  
And you, Lord — how long?
(Psalm 6:1-3).
 
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us — not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy — through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:4-5, 7).
 
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• The renewing of your mind
• The needs of your extended family
• Your activities for the day

 
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
This is the day the Lord has made;
Let's rejoice and be glad in it
(Psalm 118:24).