happy New Year friends is a cherita here and if you set a goal this year to pray more consistently and intentionally then I have good news for you not only do you have this podcast as a resource but our friends at Moody Publishers are offering you a 40% discount on my book prayers of rest daily prompt slow down and hear God's voice so just this next week from January 2nd to the 10th you can go to Moody Publishers. Calm and enter the code prayers of rest for that's 40 at checkout to get your special podcast listener discount all right let's jump into today's episode
welcome to the pros of breath podcast I'm your host ashrita choo choo and this week we are praying for friends who are in a toxic relationship unfortunately often times it's those of us on the outside that can recognize patterns of abuse and misuse far more than just a casual unintended hurting of someone that more a pattern of toxicity and if that's the case and you know someone in your life who is going through something like that or if you were experiencing that plays prayers for you and also I want to make sure that you stick around and listen to this Thursday's interview with Gary Thomas as he talks about when to walk away and what the Bible says about toxic relationships but today as we begin take a deep breath so we become aware if that's a loving presence around us
 today's passage comes from Psalm 37 verses 7 & 8
 do not fret when people carry out their wicked schemes refrain from anger and turn from rast do not fret it leads only to evil
 let's begin by reciting with goodness
 the guy that you are our Lord and Master guess you are our loving father but also you were the judge you're the one who sees wrong done in the world and you're the one who promises to set all things right if anyone knows all the evil that's going on right now it's you and the fact that you do not destroy all of humanity right now it just points to your patience and your loving kindness and your mercy you're not bow and executing justice but but you are compassionate not wanting anyone to die in their sins
 how good and patient you are a lord
 take a moment now to reflect on this friendship
 what can you see if God's goodness his Justice his patience and how he is working with this friend even in a difficult situation take time to praise him and worship him for who he is
 let's continue Now by expressing our neediness
 then I confess that I am not as patient as you are when I see evil people flaunted your mercy and and pray on the phone verbal and use those who cannot protect themselves got it it makes my blood boil when I think of all those who are in power weather in a relationship or in an organization or the country do they use that power in a toxic way to hurt those who are weak
 oh God I don't understand your ways and I don't understand why you let that happen because keep me from doing something foolish in my anger and keep me from trying to control the situation help me to surrender
 to you and God I ask that you would move in a mighty way that you would stop those who are doing evil and Injustice and that you would protect those who are weak and vulnerable
 who knows how guidance Pacific's of this relationship ask him to move and if there's nothing but you know to stay then just sit and allow the Holy Spirit
 Chick-fil-A on your behalf
 continue now to seek is stillness
 tell God everything that's on your heart and then be still before him is there anything that he wants to say to you in the situation
 how is he inviting you to rest in his sovereignty in his power and then his Justice
 finally let's trust God's faithfulness
 Lord even though I don't understand your ways I choose to trust your heart and your goodness that used to trust that even what the enemy intends for evil you are working out for good and that you will work all things together for the good of my friend in this toxic situation
 for the good of those who love you
 that we might become more like Jesus that even through suffering and trials we might set aside anything that hinders us or anything that gets in the way of our affection and devotion and our surrender and submission to you
 but I I I ask that you would move in this relationship that you would bring this toxic person to repentance but they confessed and stepped aside the ways that they are hurting others
 he made me you and you Christ Jesus
 I trust that you will do and does your way more than I can ask for Imagine for my friend in this difficult situation right now
 help me to wait on you
 so as you end this time of prayer how can you actively trust God in this friendship is there anything that he is asking you to do or to say or is he calling you to rest and wait
now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy to the only God our savior be glory and Majesty
 power and authority through Jesus Christ Our Lord before all ages
 now and forevermore amen
 even listening to the prayers of Wrath podcast which is a production of one thing alone Ministries helping you enjoy Jesus Through creative Bible habits as episode is based on the prayer hostile on page 139 of my new book prayers of rest daily problems to slow down and hear God's voice is available at your favorite bookstore or online at prayers arrest.com and like I mentioned if you are in a toxic relationship or you have a friend who is you're really going to want to listen to my conversation with Carrie Thomas the errors this week on the Prairies are best podcast and you can find it when you subscribe to prayers are best in your favorite podcast player
 and all season we have been thinking our Patron prayer partners for their financial support and now it's time for me to turn around and say have you joined us if this podcast has been a blessing to you if you have grown in quietness and Stillness and your relationship with Jesus and I encourage you to partner with us help us make the next season of the prayers of Wrath podcast just go to prayers arrest.com click that support us button enjoying our prayer team with your financial giving and your prayers and your support it might be my voice here on the prayers of rest podcast but it takes a whole Army of Prayer Warriors who come alongside and make this possible to thank you so much for your generous financial support and your printer support as well
 thank you also to Angie Elegance for editing this episode Robert Elkins go to music and Kendra Stanton for producing this podcast and thank you honestly thank you for being here under this is the first time you're listening to prayers of rest or this is your hundredth time listening I'm so grateful that you're here and you join us week after week until we meet again may you find rest in God's loving presence