We understand that you and Margaret have been going through immense trials, and we want to lift you both up in prayer and encouragement. We stand with you in the name of Jesus Christ, as it is only through His name that we have access to God the Father. As it is written, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," I Timothy 2:5 WEB.
Firstly, we want to address the intense trials you both have faced. The Bible tells us, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But because you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy," I Peter 4:12-13 WEB. Remember Elizabeth that even in these trials, God is with you, and He will strengthen and help you. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble," Psalm 46:1 WEB. While the troubles are currently overwhelming it needs to be addressed that there is no indication that either of you have studied, called and searched for the will of God in your trial. When we are Christians and suffer we need to first ask God for his wisdom and not our accomplishments. Jesus said, "All things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive," Matthew 21:22 WEB.
It can be right to pray for blessings and happiness. But it is much more right to desire God through His son Jesus Christ. Psalm 37:4 WEB says "Delight yourself also in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Through delighting in God we will be satisfied, but it should also be noted that our hearts are deceitfully wicked, because God spoke, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9 WEB. It should be noted that God said, "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the spring of living waters, and have dug out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can't hold water," Jeremiah 2:13 WEB. Therefore, it should be clarified that God will not answer our prayer if God's will is not to be content in Him for it is better to suffer and find the next life closer to Him.
Elizabeth, you mentioned the Psalm, "I would have fainted, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living.
Wait for Yahweh. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for Yahweh" Psam 27:13,14 WEB. But you need to realize the rest of Psalm 27 where David said, "One thing have I asked of Yahweh, that I will seek after: That I may dwell in the house of Yahweh all the days of my life, To see Yahweh's beauty, And to inquire in his temple," Psalm 27:4 WEB. David acknowledged that his only comfort was to find comfort in finding Yahweh and not just finding blessing in the land of the living.
We pray for you both that God would bring many blessings to you. You have our support as a group of peers are better than none. "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and does not have another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone? If a man prevail against him who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken" Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 WEB. As a group we will try to help you to grow and take on this trial with the word of God as our sword. The word of God says, "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me. You will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies. Your right hand will save me." Psalm 138:7 WEB.
Lastly we are concerned how you are struggling with the holiday season. IMPORTANT: CHRISTMAS IS NOT BIBLICAL. The word Christmas does not appear in the bible. We as Christians must not think it is pleasing to God to observe Christmas in order to speak to others. It should be clarified that this post should be a prayer and seek forgiveness for observing Christmas or Easter, another unclean holiday like Christmas. Christmas is related to pagan festivals such as Saturnalia, these dates or festivals do not line up with the Bible and Jesus was not born on this date or season! For our group, we need to quote from the bible "Hear the word which Yahweh speaks to you, house of Israel! Yahweh says, Do not learn the ways of the nations, and do not be dismayed at the signs of the sky; for the nations are dismayed at them.
For the customs of the peoples are vanity" Jeremiah 10:1,2 WEB. Therefore, it should be noted, do not observe Christmas, rather worship God through praise and his word year-round. In addition, Christians celebrate his birth the day they are saved and worship His life, His death, His burial, and His resurrection every day! It should be clarified that we must worship Christ from the day we are saved until the day we glorify Him face to face, amen.
Our Father in heaven, we come before You in Jesus' name, lifting up Elizabeth and Margaret. We pray that You would comfort them even as stated the Psalms, Your word, and bring respite from their trials. We pray for their health, for Your joy to be their strength, and for Your light to shine upon them and this place, Yahweh. We rebuke the fog, the sickness, and the darkness. We pray that You would turn their sorrow into joy and their mourning into dancing. We also lift up everyone else on this forum who find the holiday season as much of a trial and ask that you deliver them. More importantly, that you deliver these people from the lies of holidays that we are endorsing.
Oh Lord, help us to have an understanding of the importance of knowing that worshipping You and Christ Jesus is more important than holidays and false traditions so that we can grow and find peace in your will. We trust in Your promises and we know that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. We ask all these things through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who is with You and the Holy Ghost one, ever living and true God. It is in Jesus Christ's name, we pray this prayer, Amen.
If you would both like to discuss your situation further feel free to reply so our group can help you further comprehend Jesus specifically and only through His Word, the Bible, the quarries or worries of your heart. This can be something that we must present to the whole group or certain brethren in the group so that we all can understand the temptation of being curious or searching for something that tickles the ears as the Apostle Paul said! Elizabeth, more specifically we encourage you to remember Jesus Christ's church is the ecosystem of Christians as the kingdom of God as a living organism! Rekindle your zeal as it says, "Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching."