So many times in life, we are at loss for words. During this pandemic, it is easy to be at a loss for words. It is hard to know how to encourage, lead, and comfort our girls during this time. Our girls are entering in a season of change, loss, and unknown. We may not have all the answers, but we can always point them back to the One who is steadfast and loving through every season and every change.If you are like me, you may be seeking guidance on how to encourage and comfort a girl in your life that has lost so much during this time. I think it is super important to acknowledge all of our girls feelings and emotions.She may be a senior athlete who will never be able to finish her senior season. She may be a girl who looked at so many stores to find her prom dress and dreamed for years of the memories she would make. Now, all of the sudden it is cancelled. She may be a student that struggles with school and doesn’t know the first thing about transitioning to online school. She may be a senior who will not get to walk the stage and allow the world to see her accomplishments because graduation has been cancelled. She may be the girl that struggles with worry and “what if’s” and there are no answers to give her. She may be the girl that fights year round to stay busy so that she doesn’t have to hear the whispers in her mind telling her lies. Some of our girls will be okay and others will not. My prayer for us as leaders and influential people in these girls lives is to be present and to point them back to Christ. We do not have all the answers, but we can point our girls to the One who knew the plans for their lives before they took their first breath. There is power in “I don’t know.” There is power in “I’m sorry.” There is power in admitting that we are scared too.Point them back to Who you know will never let them down: Jesus.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” —2 Corinthians 1:3-5
So let’s take this time to pray for our girls. Take 5-10 minutes to send them a text of encouragement letting them know you are thinking of them and are here for them. If you don’t have the words to say, point them back to Scripture. Here are the prayers and verses I am praying over all of our girls. Join me in prayer—there is power in prayer.
For the girl who feels alone…
Dear God, I don’t know exactly how she is feeling, but I can only imagine the hurt and the loss. Lord, you made her in such a unique way to show Your love and light to people. You have made her in such a way to draw people near to her wherever she goes. At this time in her life, she may feel so alone. I pray that You show her the comfort that can only be found in You. I pray that You give her a peace that You will never leave her. Allow her to know that You have not abandoned her. In Jesus name, Amen.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”—Deuteronomy 31:6
For the girl who doesn’t get to finish her season…
Dear God, my heart is breaking for this sweet girl. She has trained year round for her sport, in and off season. You have gifted her in such a way to make Your name great through her craft. She has trained and was only given either a portion of her season or missed out on her season entirely. Lord, she has worked so hard to condition her body and her mind to perfect her craft and is not able to finish the race. Some of these girls may never be able to play this sport again, and for that, my heart hurts. I pray that she will cling to you, God. I pray that she sees that her identity is not found in her sport or in her season. Lord, please allow her to see that her identity is found in You alone. In Jesus name, Amen.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” —Romans 5:3-5
For the girl who struggles with worry…
Dear God, I call out to You right now because I don’t have the words to say. God, I know this sweet girl is filled with questions that are faced with no answers. I can’t give her any answers, but Lord I pray You give me the wisdom to continue to point her to You. There is so much unknown surrounding us in the world right now. I can’t tell her when social distancing will end. I cannot tell her how many people will be affected. I can’t tell her how this will affect this season in her life. I know she has so many questions and the unanswered questions are swirling in her mind. I know her frustration, confusion, and worry are growing. Lord, I pray right now that You give her a peace that surpasses all understanding. I pray that You give her comfort that can only come from You. Lord, help her to remember that You are Almighty. You are steadfast. You are unchanging. You are the author of all of creation. We can trust in You. Lord, I pray that she trusts in You. In Jesus name, Amen.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” —1 Peter 5:7
For the girl who doesn’t get to go to prom….
Dear God, I know she is hurting right now. I know she has been watching tv shows and movies centered around prom for years. She could have tried on countless dresses to find her “perfect one.” Lord, she is experiencing so much loss. She has lost the potential memories that would have lasted a lifetime. I pray that she will still be able to make lifelong memories in another way. Lord, I pray that you comfort her. I pray that she knows that her feelings are valid. I pray that she sees that You are working all things out for her good. Lord, allow her to see that You never have and never will leave or forsake her. In Jesus name, Amen.
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”—Romans 8:26-28
For the girl who doesn’t get to have a graduation…
Dear God, I am coming to You with a heavy heart. Lord, we pray for Your will and for peace according to Your will. We know that graduation is a time to celebrate all of the work that our girls have put in to their education for years. The dedication and persistence that it has taken for these girls earn their high school diploma is all worth it when they cross the stage. Lord, even if they are not able to cross the stage, I pray that they will still be celebrated on all they have accomplished. More importantly God, I pray that they choose to praise You even in the midst of their loss. Lord, please give them a peace that transcends all understanding. Allow them to be comforted in You and Your will. Lord, please give them the strength to praise you through it all. In Jesus name, Amen.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:4-7
Jillian Murphy usually introduces herself as “Just Jillian.” Not to minimize who God has made her to be, but because she realizes how blessed she is to be used as a vessel. Jillian is a college student, speaker, and writer. She is the author of Powerfully Weak, This is Why, The Four Seasons of Hope, as well as the co-author of A Bigger Purpose. She is passionate about sharing God’s Word with students and women of all ages! She believes no matter who you are or where you’ve been the Word of God is relevant to your life as you strive to live with authentic faith in Christ. Connect with Jillian: Instagram // Website