I have a friend that has recently gone through a divorce.  It is sad.  On all accounts. It's sad for him, her, the kids, extended family and friends.  I've watched her journey on Facebook because, well, that is where most of us share things now and to be honest, life is very busy.

She has been on my heart lately.  I, too, went through a divorce 7 years ago.  It truly is like a living death.  Just like death there are many stages of grieving.  Just like the grief of someone passing, you do have to go through all of it.   You can't skip steps.  You can't will steps away.  You can't ignore the steps.  You just have to go through them.

It's not that easy though, is it?  It's not enough to know the steps, recognize the steps or even force yourself to go through them quickly.

Each one deserves your attention.  Your time.  Grieving helps you grow.  To move forward and to heal.

It's really not easy without God and beling honest with yourself.

One thing I want to share is one of the things that helped me.  I think this might have been one of the biggest reasons I healed and am happy.

I prayed.

Not just the "God help me today" prayer but an honest prayer for him.

I prayed that God showed Himself mighty to my ex-husband.  That he would sense God moving in his life.  I prayed that God would bring other believers into his life to mentor and minister to him. I prayed for his relationship with his children. I prayed for his new relationship. I prayed for his relationship with his step children.  I prayed for his financial freedom.  I prayed that he would prosper in every area of his life.  I prayed for his health.  I prayed for his rest.  I prayed for his safety. 

Notice I didn't pray for him to come back to me?  I didn't pray for God to smite him.  I didn't pray God's wrath or for things to fall apart.

I didn't tattle on him, I just prayed.

I prayed blessings.  Not because I would benefit but because I truly cared about him.  Human to human.  Believer to the lost.  I knew that as much as it pained me to have him turn away, it grieved God more.

I know that by taking myself out of it and willing to stand in the gap for someone without any malicious brought upon a heaping dose of healing for me.

I encourage you today to pray.  Pray for that person that has hurt you.  You'd be amaze to see God not only move in their life but also in yours.