A Much-Needed Embrace of Affection - Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

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By Keri Eichberger, Crosswalk.com

Your Nightly Prayer

A Much-Needed Embrace of Affection
Your Nightly Prayer for Jan. 24, 2025
by Keri Eichberger

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.” - Isaiah 40:11

SOMETHING TO PONDER

I recently saw a movie in which one of the lead actors made an interesting claim about a seven-second hug. It may or may not have been a Hallmark movie, but the claim was something along the lines that this extended embrace would have a list of positive psychological impacts on the receiver. Mental, physical, emotional, and even spiritual. And being that I can always use a boost in these areas, I put it to the test on my husband and daughter, the two closest warm bodies on the scene. As suspected, I did feel a sense of comfort and calm, and a smile swept over my soul. But then my mind drifted to those who don’t have someone to draw near and receive such comfort from. And it saddened me.

Then, suddenly, my thoughts drifted to God. My gratitude is that he is always available to offer such an immense, saturating embrace that is greater than any human I’ve ever held. And a sadder thought arose about the unfortunate souls that don’t know our God. And how even I, who do know him, sometimes forget about the swallow of his constant compassion.

Do you ever feel a lack of comfort? Are you longing for a genuine embrace to fill your soul?

You may have beloved people in your life in close proximity you can cling to. Or you may not at the moment. But either way, sometimes there seems to be something missing for all of us. A deeper connection that offers a calming sense of safety, security, and belonging. Situations and seasons where the promises of this seven-second hug sound heavenly.

I want to remind us of something. While I’m sure it’s true there are benefits of an embrace from a loved one, our heavenly Father’s embrace has so much more to offer. And it’s always available. I know it sometimes doesn’t seem so when you can’t see him. My six-year-old tells me this all the time. But like I tell her if you close your eyes and picture him sitting beside you closer than you can imagine. If you hear him saying, I am with you, and I love you so much. If you repeat it, believe it, soak it into the depths of your heart. You will begin to feel his love seep in and wrap its caress all through and around you.

So many of us live countless wandering, lonely years looking for a certain comfort and love from the world. To embrace us, to fill us, to forever free us from loneliness. But only God can do that. It took me too many years to learn this. But once I did, I wanted more. I knew no matter what comforts the world removed from me or failed to provide, I’d found something so much better. Something you and every child of God have constant access to.

It might be right now, but there will be more moments when you and I desire deeper forms of affection. And when you sit in stillness, acknowledge the truth of God’s ever-presence, allow him to hold you, and receive his extravagant love, you will experience a depth of embrace and affection no one in the world could ever offer. And this is the most precious gift we all have infinitely available… from him. Forever.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Father God, You are always close. Holding my hand and heart. I keep looking to people to comfort and embrace my hurts and to fill my voids and loneliness. But only you can do that. And better than anyone. Help me remember the truth that, like a shepherd tending your flock, you keep and carry me close to your heart. Help me feel the reality of your embrace. Thank you for your perfect love that fills me whole. In Your Son’s Name, Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. When you feel lonely and long for comfort, do you run to God before his people?

2. How would it change your condition if you acknowledged God’s ever-present embrace as your greatest source of comfort?

3. Read this verse, then close your eyes and picture yourself as the lamb. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart. ( Isaiah 40:11)

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Viacheslav Peretiatko

Keri Eichberger is a Jesus-loving Kentucky girl. She is married to her best friend, Mike, and has a full house of five kids. After years of writing for an online audience, Keri became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She is the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, and has a passion for sharing faith-filled encouragement through devotional writing. Connect with Keri at KeriEichberger.com or Instagram.