Friends

I’ve been thinking about friends and friendships these days.  We all have friends we don’t know what we’d do without – friends who have been there for us through thick and thin – friends we could turn to when we needed help and they’d be there for us.   The Bible got it right when it says: 

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. 

Proverbs 17:17

We are called by God to not just receive the support of friends but to give the same in return – and “pay it forward” to others.  We’re to build each other up in our faith, and pray for one another. 

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit …

Jude 1:20

God we’re thankful today for all those friends who are and who have been those who’ve guided us and pointed us in the right direction.  Thanks for pastors, sponsors, small group leaders, teachers, coaches, those who are a little older than us who were there for us. All these people have helped to shape our character and bring hope and insight and comfort at some point in our journey.  We are who we are today because of their positive influence.  

The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends. 

Proverbs 11:30

We thank You for that small circle of friends in our life that are the close friends, those we can share our heart with, those who will tell us the truth – even if it is uncomfortable – those we can laugh and cry with – those we don’t mind seeing us in our grubby clothes, or with our hair doing whatever it is doing. 

Thanks for those friends who take interest in the things that matter to us, who take time to pay attention to what we’re saying, what we’re doing, what we’re needing.  It’s such an honour to be cared for by others and we give you thanks for these good and close friends who care for us. 

Thank you God for those who have befriended us when we weren’t all that easy to love and be around.  Thank you for their patience, their attention, their support, and their commitment to doing what they could to support us. 

Most of all, we are grateful for Your friendship God,  We would be absolutely hopeless without it.  While we were still far from being your friend You reached out to us.  While we were still Your enemies You died on the cross for us to pay the price for our sins.  There is no better friend than You.  Thank You today for the gift of friendship.  Amen

Why not take a few moments and thank some friends who’ve been there for you through thick and thin.